Assembly Resolution No. 566

BY: M. of A. Magnarelli

CELEBRATING the life and legacy of Donna Marie
DuBose Reese, a Syracuse community leader,
powerhouse, and civil rights icon

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those outstanding individuals who have gone before us, and who have
distinguished themselves in their professional and personal lives
through their unwavering passion, work ethic, enthusiasm and substantial
contributions to their communities and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the life and legacy of Donna Marie DuBose Reese who died on
January 31, 2020, in Syracuse, New York; and

WHEREAS, Donna Marie DuBose was born on July 21, 1961, as the
youngest of seven children, was raised on Syracuse's Southside by
parents James and Betty DuBose; she was married to native Syracusan
Duane Reese Sr. for over 30 years, and together they raised three
children, Duane L. Reese II, Tequila Pease, and Tamara Reese; seven
grandchildren, Brianna, Janae, Javon, Jahmil, Camron, Diamond, and
Joshaun, as well as eight great grandchildren, Jaquan II, Jamaiya,
Jamarrie, Jayden, Journee, Trinity, Jalaiya and Dior; and

WHEREAS, Donna Marie DuBose Reese's activism began as a teen parent
to two children born in the late 1970's; she overcame the struggles of
teen motherhood to proudly graduate on time at age 18 and receive her
GED in 1979, and became a homeowner with her husband in 1990 at age 28;
and

WHEREAS, Her world was turned upside down with the disappearance of
her nephew, William "Tony" Porch, who was found murdered in South
Carolina in 1994, which spurred Donna Marie DuBose Reese, who had served
as a lifelong volunteer for the Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), to
run for and serve as President of the Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter
from 1998-2002, and she was the first woman in Onondaga County to hold
this position; and

WHEREAS, During her terms as President, she became Co-Founder of the
Pan-African Village at the Great New York State Fair, which opened in
1997 and served to showcase African-American crafts, music, foods, and
entertainment, all at one location within the New York State
Fairgrounds; and

WHEREAS, As a result of Donna Marie DuBose Reese's advocacy, the
Pan-African Village expanded in 1999 by adding an additional sound stage
for performances and more space for business opportunities and
educational displays; to this day, the Pan-African Village remains a
highlight of the Fair and is visited annually by many dignitaries from
all across New York State and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Donna Marie DuBose Reese worked with the mentally disabled
at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse for 20 years until glaucoma
forced her early retirement in 2008; she spent her later years as a
mentor and advocate for Aurora of Central New York for over ten years
where she helped people in various states of their vision or hearing
loss acclimate to the lifestyle changes that come with sensory
impairments and the disabilities associated with sensory loss; and

WHEREAS, She later served as a committee member for the annual
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration, and the annual ADA
award is named in Donna's honor; and

WHEREAS, Donna Marie DuBose Reese served as a Board Member at CENTRO
from 2014-2020, and at the time of her appointment, Donna was the only
person on the board with a disability, and the first African-American
woman to hold the post; she has been honored by CENTRO for her hard work
and service to the community with tributes posted in its main office;
and

WHEREAS, Donna Marie DuBose Reese has received over one hundred
awards, such as the Benjamin Banneker Democratic Club's James Dupree
Service Award, the Central New York ACLU Community Service Award, the
New York State Fair Director's Achievement Award, the Syracuse NAACP
President's Award for Public Service, and the National Council of Negro
Women Community Service Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and remember the life and legacy of Donna Marie DuBose Reese; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Donna Marie DuBose Reese.