Bill Text: NY J00859 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 859

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honoree

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-04-26 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00859 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00859-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 859

BY: Senator PARKER

        COMMENDING  the  Martin  Luther King Multi-Purpose
        Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023  Annual
        Awards  Benefit  Gala,  and  paying  tribute to this
        year's honoree

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the  communities  across  New  York
State  are  reflective  of  the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of
hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala on Sunday, April  30,  2023;
and

  WHEREAS,  This year's honoree is Grant Valentine, Trustee and Deputy
Mayor for the Village of  Chestnut  Ridge,  New  York,  and  the  former
Assistant  Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for
New York State Parole; and

  WHEREAS, A graduate of Concord Law School and Queens College,  Grant
Valentine  worked  for  over  32  years  in  both  criminal and juvenile
justice, administration, budgeting, evidence-based  management,  quality
assurance  and training; in 2012, he officially retired as the Assistant
Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for  New  York
State Parole; and

  WHEREAS,  A  three-term  Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of
Chestnut Ridge, New York, Grant Valentine  has  been  actively  involved
with   numerous  organizations  including  Rockland  Community  College,
Rockland County Youth Bureau, Chestnut Ridge  Planning  Board,  Rockland
County  District  Attorney's  Office,  Rockland County Sheriff's Office,
Rockland  County  Department  of  Health  School  Coalition,   Strategic
Planning for the East Ramapo Central School District of Rockland County,
President Obama My Brother's Keeper, Martin Luther King Oratory Contest,
Boys  and  Girls  Club  of  America  Rockland County Steering Committee,
Rockland County Branch of the American Association of University  Women,
the  Edmund  and  Susan  Gordon Partnership Institute at CEJJES, African
Parade committee of Rockland County, Prince Hall Masons  of  Tappan  Zee
Lodge  of  Rockland  County,  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of New York,
Poinsettia Chapter Eastern Stars,  New  York  State  Police  Reform  and
Reinvention Collaborative for Rockland County and the Rockland Sheriff's
Office,   9th  Judicial  District  committee  that  covers  Westchester,
Rockland and Orange Counties on jury reform,  and  the  New  York  State
Cannabis  Association  of Minorities and Women Professionals, as well as
the Westchester Rockland Cannabis Business Alliance; and

  WHEREAS, Grant Valentine was a 2012 finalist  for  the  White  House
Fellow program and was the recipient of numerous other accolades for his
steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community including the 2012
African American Chamber of Commerce for Westchester/Rockland Award, the

2013  Education Excellence Award for the Northeast Region by Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, the 2016 Rockland County Award for Black History  Month,
the  2017 honoree and award recipient from the Tender Steps Organization
of  New  York, 2019 Unsung Hero Award for Rockland County, 2019 Zeta Phi
Beta Sorority Tau Gamma  Zeta  Chapter  Recognition  Honor,  2020  Black
History  Award  by the East Ramapo Central School District, and the 2022
NAACP Nyack Freedom Award; and

  WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife  Linda,  their  four
children,  Grant  III, Janeen, Vance, and Nicole, and six grandchildren,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in  his
achievements; and

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

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  that  those  who
enhance  the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence 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
commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of
hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala, and to pay tribute to  this
year's honoree; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center and to  Grant
Valentine.