Bill Text: NY J00854 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of former Assemblymember and Bronx Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-20 - ADOPTED [J00854 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00854-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 854

BY: Senator SERRANO

        MOURNING  the  death  of former Assemblymember and
        Bronx  Deputy  Borough  President  Aurelia   Greene,
        renowned  public  servant  and devoted member of her
        community

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize  and
commend  those  individuals  of  outstanding  purpose  whose  lives were
committed to public service and the pursuit of excellence in the conduct
of the legislative process in this noble Empire State; and

  WHEREAS, Aurelia Greene of the Bronx, New York,  died  on  Saturday,
May 8, 2021, at the age of 86; and

  WHEREAS, Born in the Bronx, Aurelia Greene graduated from the former
Central  Commercial  High  School  in  Manhattan;  later,  she  attended
Livingston College at Rutgers University where she majored in  Community
Development, and then entered politics; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1982, Aurelia Greene was first elected to the New York
State Assembly to  represent  the  77th  District,  which  includes  the
communities  of  Highbridge,  Claremont,  East/West Concourse and Morris
Heights; and

  WHEREAS, For  the  next  27  years,  Assemblymember  Aurelia  Greene
applied  her  urban  planning  skills  and knowledge of her community to
negotiate  and  sponsor  legislation  bettering  the  South   Bronx   by
strengthening  affordable  housing  and  healthcare,  quality education,
senior and youth services and economic development; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  her  tenure,  this   trailblazing   legislator
diligently  worked  to  give lasting voice to the underrepresented; upon
joining the Assembly, Aurelia Greene became a founding member of the New
York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators,  Inc.,  as
well  as  The  Women's  Caucus, and went on to become the first woman to
chair the Banking Committee; in 2006, she was elevated to serve  as  the
first  African  American  Speaker  Pro  Tempore  of  the  New York State
Assembly; and

  WHEREAS, In 1994, Assemblymember Aurelia Greene was awarded  a  gold
helmet by the New York State Head Injury Association for her legislation
improving  bicycle  safety;  she  authored  the  landmark  Motor Vehicle
Leasing Act, sponsored the Interstate Bank Branching & ATM Safety Act of
1996, and was instrumental in driving legislation to prohibit  predatory
lending  practices  and protect consumers against abuses in the subprime
lending market, which became law in 2002; and

  WHEREAS,  Following  her  historic  time  in  the  New  York   State
Legislature,  and  after  becoming  the  longest  serving  Member of the
Assembly in Bronx County  and  ascending  to  the  Chair  of  the  State
Assembly's  Bronx  Delegation, Aurelia Greene assumed the role of Deputy
Bronx Borough President in 2009; in  this  capacity,  she  continued  to
apply  her  expertise  and  compassion  as  a  stabilizing  force in the

betterment of the Bronx through her retirement from  public  service  in
2017; and

  WHEREAS, In 2018, Aurelia Greene was honored with a Key to the Bronx
marking her 50 years of outstanding public service to her community; and

  WHEREAS,  Aurelia  Greene's  commitment  to  community  carried well
beyond her professional role; a woman of faith,  she  was  a  leader  at
Bronx  Christian  Charismatic Prayer Fellowship where she managed church
finances, taught Sunday  school,  organized  events  and  ministered  to
parishioners; and

  WHEREAS,  Aurelia Greene also taught at Antioch College and lectured
at numerous universities and colleges in the New York City area; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by her  husband,  Reverend  Jerome  A.  Greene,
Aurelia  Greene  is  survived by one daughter, Rhonda; one son, Russell;
five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, as well as numerous  other
family  members,  friends  and former constituents who will long cherish
her memory; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout her incredible life  and  through  her  numerous
good  deeds,  Aurelia  Greene has made a positive impact and touched the
lives of many; she mentored many former  students,  interns  and  fellow
elected  officials,  and  served as a role model for others to follow in
her footsteps; and

  WHEREAS, A true icon and pioneer in Bronx politics,  Aurelia  Greene
will  forever  be  remembered  as  a  committed,  compassionate, caring,
consistent, dedicated and trusted public servant; she always stayed  the
course,  fought the good fight and always remained true to the people of
the Bronx; and

  WHEREAS, Aurelia Greene's legacy will live on in all  of  those  who
were  inspired  by  her  achievements  and her commitment to serving our
communities; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death  of  former  Assemblymember  and  Bronx Deputy Borough
President Aurelia Greene, renowned public servant and devoted member  of
her community, and to express its deepest condolences to her family; and
be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Aurelia Greene.