Senate Resolution No. 181

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Daquetta P. Jones upon the occasion of
being named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by the
Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and
Alumni Association on September 22, 2018

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
its esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in their
profession and in their community; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Daquetta P.
Jones upon the occasion of being named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by
the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni Association to
be celebrated at its Alumni Awards Brunch on Homecoming Weekend,
Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the Bulmer Telecommunications Center,
Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born in Miami, Florida, Daquetta P. Jones grew up in San
Antonio, Texas, and Tampa, Florida; later, she relocated to Albany, New
York; after earning her associate's degree in human services from Hudson
Valley Community College, she received her bachelor's degree in Crime
and Justice Policy from The Sage Colleges of Albany; in 2011, she
graduated from The Sage Colleges Graduate School of Management; and

WHEREAS, Always eager to learn, Daquetta P. Jones truly believes "We
learn something new every day as many people are teaching us. All we
must do is listen and when we do; we'll hear it, apply it, see growth
and pay it forward. Keep picking up GEMS."; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2013, Daquetta P. Jones was appointed
Executive Director of YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. (GCR) in
Troy; under her luminous leadership, this vital organization is one of
the area's largest providers of supportive, affordable and safe
permanent and transitional housing to both single women and women with
children through daily economic empowerment, homelessness prevention,
food security services and supportive programs; and

WHEREAS, Currently, YWCA-GCR houses 104 women and 50 children who
would otherwise be homeless or living in substandard housing; and

WHEREAS, As an experienced, dedicated, charismatic and visionary
professional and leader, Daquetta P. Jones is committed to upholding
YWCA-GCR's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting
peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all; she has spoken on various
panels such as Girls Rising, Empowerment of Women, Diversity and
Inclusion, Grassroots Organizing, Social and Racial Injustices, Pay
inequity, NYS of Women, Community Leadership, Gender equity, Leadership
Tips, and Domestic Violence, as well as Unstoppable Women; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her exemplary work with YWCA-GCR, Daquetta
P. Jones is a vital member of many Capital Region boards of directors
and committees; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her
profession and community, Daquetta P. Jones has been the recipient of
numerous awards and accolades including the 2016 Union College and
Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region Women and Girl Cohort
Leadership Institute Certificate, the 2015 Addy Award by Working
Pictures, the 2016 40 Under 40 Community Leader Award by Albany Business
Review, the 2016 Character Education Civic Organization Award by The
Sage Colleges Esteves School of Education Academy, the 2016 Owl Award by
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, the 2017 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
by The Sage Colleges, a 2017 Leadership Institute Certificate by the
Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 2017 United Sisters
of New York Women Who Rock Award, the 2018 Women Who Help Women Award by
the Zonta Club of Albany, and the 2018 40 Change Makers Award by the
Center for Women in Government and Civil Society; she was also named a
Woman Who Means Business by the Albany Business Review; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Daquetta P. Jones has always led by
example and lives each and every day by her mantra, "Be Empowered,
Empower Others, and Always Smile"; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Daquetta P. Jones upon the occasion of being named a 2018
Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation
and Alumni Association on September 22, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Daquetta P. Jones.