Senate Resolution No. 2226

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Basil Smikle upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Phi Award by the Gamma
Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community and their profession; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Basil Smikle upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Phi
Award by the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc., to be celebrated at its Juneteenth Summer Formal on Saturday, June
18, 2022, at Terrace on the Park, Corona, New York; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek letter
fraternity established by African-Americans, was founded on December 4,
1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven visionary men
who together with other early leaders of Alpha Phi Alpha succeeded in
laying a firm foundation for the fraternity's principles of scholarship,
fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event offers an opportunity for the Gamma
Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to present the
distinguished Phi Award to individuals who have made great
accomplishments and have helped to better their community; Basil Smikle
is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, Basil Smikle served as the Distinguished Lecturer of
Politics and Public Policy at the City University of New York's School
of Labor and Urban Studies from 2017 to 2019; and

WHEREAS, A key advisor and tremendous public servant who makes sure
all voices are heard, Basil Smikle was a senior aide to Hillary Rodham
Clinton where he advised the Senator on state-wide policy and politics;
and

WHEREAS, Professionally, Basil Smikle worked closely with elected
officials and community leaders to manage electoral and fundraising
strategies for the State; he recruited candidates for political office
and was instrumental in the creation of grassroots mobilization
programs; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his renowned and illustrious career, Basil
Smikle received countless accolades including awards from both the
Governor and the New York State Comptroller for his commitment to public
service and education equity; and

WHEREAS, A life-long New Yorker raised in the Bronx by Jamaican
immigrants, Basil Smikle is inspired by his father, a retired textile

worker, and mother, a long-time public school special education teacher;
and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Basil Smikle is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, and 100 Black Men of New
York, where he helped start the Eagle Academy in the Bronx which has
grown to six schools in New York and New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he is a founding Board Member of the Harlem
Hebrew Academy Charter School and sits on the Board of the NYC Center
for Charter Excellence; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Basil Smikle has displayed
throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Basil Smikle, that future generations may know and appreciate his
admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Basil Smikle upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Phi Award by the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Basil Smikle.