Bill Text: NY J02351 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Mad Wednesdays, and paying tribute to its founder, Maria Davis, for her ceaseless dedication to HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 41-21)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-07 - ADOPTED [J02351 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02351-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2351

BY: Senator CLEARE

        COMMEMORATING   the   30th   Anniversary   of  Mad
        Wednesdays, and paying tribute to its founder, Maria
        Davis, for  her  ceaseless  dedication  to  HIV/AIDS
        prevention and awareness

  WHEREAS,  From  time  to  time  this  Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals  it  wishes  to  recognize  for  their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body is justly proud to commemorate the
30th Anniversary of Mad Wednesdays on March 20, 2024, and to pay tribute
its founder, Maria Davis,  for  her  ceaseless  dedication  to  HIV/AIDS
prevention and awareness; and

  WHEREAS,  Individuals  and  organizations  devoted  to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity  and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

  WHEREAS,  Maria  Antonette  Davis  (MAD),  a  former  hip-hop  music
promoter, began hosting a showcase called MAD Wednesdays, the  first  of
which  took  place  on  March  20, 1994 at then hot spot, Sweetwaters on
Amsterdam Avenue; and

  WHEREAS, It was during  this  time  that  Maria  Davis'  new  artist
showcase  and  party became the backdrop and inspiration for Jay Z, Lil'
Kim, and other renowned artists of the 90s; she was featured on  Jay-Z's
22 Two's track from his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt"; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  its inception, MAD Wednesdays has grown into a true
movement with its permanent home at The Shrine in  Central  Harlem,  and
serving  as  a  platform  in  preparing  Maria  to  begin her role as an
advocate for those living with HIV and AIDS; and

  WHEREAS, Nearly three decades ago, Maria Davis  was  diagnosed  with
HIV  and  has  since  dedicated  her  life  as  a crusader, educator and
activist for those living with HIV/AIDS; and

  WHEREAS,  This  extraordinary  woman  has   worked   tirelessly   in
collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Merck and fashion designer
Mondo Guerra on "I Design," a World AIDS Day national education campaign
aimed at empowering the HIV community; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  to  continue her fight against AIDS and HIV,
Maria Davis promotes faith, positivity, and self-love  to  those  living
with this disease; and

  WHEREAS,  With  a steadfast and unwavering commitment to remaining a
voice for the voiceless, Maria Davis continues to educate her  community
on  the importance of knowing your status; she also serves as a minister
at the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed is  the  occurrence  of  such  a  compassionate
blending  of  strength,  leadership,  intellect,  and commitment as that
demonstrated by Maria Davis over a lifetime of sacrifice and  dedication
to others; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals and organizations 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
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Mad Wednesdays, and to  pay  tribute
to  its  founder,  Maria Davis, for her ceaseless dedication to HIV/AIDS
prevention and awareness; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Maria Davis.