Bill Text: NY J03022 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance & Administration

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-10 - ADOPTED [J03022 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03022-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 3022

BY: Senator COMRIE

        CONGRATULATING   Norman   Fairweather   upon   the
        occasion  of  his  retirement  after  25  years   of
        distinguished  service  as the Director of Finance &
        Administration of the First Presbyterian  Church  of
        Jamaica, New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the  maintenance  of  high  standards  in  their
profession,  certainly  have  earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of 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
congratulate Norman Fairweather upon  the  occasion  of  his  retirement
after  25  years  of  distinguished service as the Director of Finance &
Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York, to
be celebrated with a Party in his honor on Sunday, March  29,  2020,  at
Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Norman  Fairweather  began  his  illustrious career as the
Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church in
Jamaica on April 1, 1995; and

  WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather  spent  the  first  two  years  in  this
esteemed  position  completing  the  preparation  of  financials for the
period of 1991 to 1994, automating the information system to include the
financial  records  for  all  five  First  Church  Funds,  preparing  an
accounting policies and procedures manual ensuring the implementation of
FASB  technical  standards,  and  preparing  an  employee  policies  and
procedures handbook; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, he created templates to track and  manage  the
commercial properties of the church and the investment of the portfolios
with particular attention to restricted gifts, some dated as far back as
the 1800s; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  the completion of the renovation of the Sanctuary in
1996,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Finance/Property  Committee,  Norman
Fairweather  was a vital component of the three-year capital campaign to
raise enough funds to cover the cost of the renovation; and

  WHEREAS, In 2002, under the able leadership of  Norman  Fairweather,
First   Presbyterian   Church  committed  itself  as  a  purpose  driven
organization, changing the  accounting  system  and  internal  reporting
system  and classifying expenditures into six major categories: Worship,
Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Mission and Leadership; and

  WHEREAS,  With  a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment   to   his
community, Norman Fairweather was a member of the team which created the
First  Jamaica  Community  &  Urban  Development Corp where he served as
Vice-Chairman of the Board; he also served  as  a  leader  in  Empowered
Queens United for Action, and Leadership and Queens Power; and


  WHEREAS,  Furthermore, he actively participated in the purchasing of
the site for the Tree of Life Center in 2006, and serves as a member  of
the  development  team  responsible for the construction of 174 units of
residential housing, as  well  as  24,000  square  feet  of  health  and
community services; and

  WHEREAS,  A  true  asset  to  his church and the community-at-large,
Norman Fairweather became a lay minister  and  the  lead  of  the  Older
Adults  Ministry;  he  was  also  instrumental in securing funds for the
Wellness Ministry and the  monitoring  of  neighbors  and  members  with
diabetes and hypertension; and

  WHEREAS,  Norman Fairweather also represented the First Presbyterian
Church as Treasurer of the Jamaica Center Improvement Association and as
a member of Jamaica Community Partnership Program's  Strategic  Planning
Committee, as well as a member of Communities Together for Health Equity
(CTHE),  a  collective  Vision for CBO Partnership in the New York State
Healthcare Delivery System; and

  WHEREAS,  For  the  past  25  years,  Norman  Fairweather   rendered
faithful,  conscientious  and  valuable  service  to  First Presbyterian
Church, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his  colleagues;
and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  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 the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Norman  Fairweather  upon  the  occasion of his retirement
after 25 years of distinguished service as the  Director  of  Finance  &
Administration  of  the  First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Norman Fairweather.