Bill Text: NY J00604 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 604

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring Most Worshipful Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York on April 15, 2023

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-28 - ADOPTED [J00604 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00604-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 604

BY: Senator PARKER

        HONORING  Most  Worshipful  Gregory Robeson Smith,
        Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special
        recognition by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
        Lodge of the State of New York on April 15, 2023

  WHEREAS, The unity of  our  State  and  Nation  is  built  upon  the
compassion  of individuals such as Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr. who uphold
the values of community life  and  who,  through  their  great  actions,
epitomize the best of humanity; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  honor Most
Worshipful  Gregory  Robeson  Smith,  Jr.  upon  the  occasion  of   his
designation  for  special recognition by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of the State of New York to be celebrated at its Testimonial
Luncheon on Saturday, April 15, 2023,  at  the  VIP  Country  Club,  New
Rochelle, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge (MWPHGL) Free
and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  New  York  is  a   non-profit
organization  which  embodies  a beautiful system of morality, veiled in
allegory and illustrated by symbols; and

  WHEREAS, After  earning  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  in  Business
Administration   with  a  concentration  in  Banking  and  Finance  from
Morehouse College, Gregory Robeson Smith,  Jr.  went  on  to  receive  a
Masters  of  Business  Administration  degree  with  a  concentration in
Management from Long Island University; and

  WHEREAS, Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr.  currently  serves  as  Regional
Vice  President  of  Compass  Group North America where he manages a $12
million dollar budget; throughout his 30 years  of  experience,  he  has
learned  to successfully lead a team of professional staff, served as an
internal resource and consultant, and has worked collaboratively with  a
wide array of clients and vendors; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  he  has  the necessary skill set to adapt to
various environments, build successful relationships  with  partners  at
all levels of an organization and execute a different perspective toward
handling issues, completing tasks and managing direct reports; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to serving in this capacity, Gregory Robeson Smith,
Jr.   had an extensive  career  with  numerous  Fortune  500  Companies,
including Verizon Wireless, Citigroup, and Waste Management Inc.; and

  WHEREAS,  Gregory  Robeson Smith, Jr. has been a member of Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc., PSI Chapter, since 1991; and

  WHEREAS, As a fifth generation Prince Hall  Mason,  Gregory  Robeson
Smith, Jr.'s devotion to masonry began more than 45 years ago; he served
as  mascot  for the Medina Temple No. 19 of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Inc., and
was a member of the Warriors Drum and Bugle Corporation; and

  WHEREAS, After officially being raised to  a  Master  Mason  in  the
oldest  lodge  in  the  State  of  New  York, Boyer Lodge No. 1, Gregory
Robeson Smith, Jr.'s hunger for knowledge continued; he was  elected  as
Worshipful Master and served with distinction and honor; and

  WHEREAS,  Gregory  Robeson  Smith,  Jr.  continued  to  grow  in the
organization and served as first Vice President  of  the  first  Masonic
District  Association  for a number of years; he was elected Illustrious
Potentate of the fifth largest Temple in  the  Imperial  Domain,  Medina
Temple No. 19 before his selection by MWPGM Dr. Solomon Wallace to serve
as Assistant of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence where he learned
the workings of the MWPHGL; and

  WHEREAS,  After  working  as  Assistant  of the Committee on Foreign
Correspondence, Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr. was appointed Chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Correspondence where he received his 33rd and  last
degree; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  this  extraordinary man has served as Junior
Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden, and Deputy Grand Master of the MWPHGL
of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Most Worshipful Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr. currently serves
as the 59th Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand  Lodge
of  New  York where he continues to work for the brothers and sisters of
this auspicious organization with humility and dignity; and

  WHEREAS, The success of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand  Lodge
of  the State of New York is in direct correlation to the efforts of its
dedicated Grand Master, Most  Worshipful  Gregory  Robeson  Smith,  Jr.,
whose   involvement  is,  and  always  has  been,  characterized  by  an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm,  and  an  uncompromising
standard  of  excellence  in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

  WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Andrea,  and  their
two  daughters, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his many achievements; and

  WHEREAS, It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that  when
individuals  of  such  noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the  citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Most Worshipful Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr. upon  the  occasion  of
his  designation  for  special recognition by the Most Worshipful Prince
Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York on April 15, 2023; and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Most Worshipful Gregory Robeson Smith, Jr.