Senate Resolution No. 3327

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the
Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.

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
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Brownstoners of
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.; this momentous occasion will be celebrated
with a year-long series, "Preserving Our Legacy: The Drum A
Listen-Learn-Action Institute," focusing on issues impacting the local
community; and

WHEREAS, The Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc. is a
not-for-profit, volunteer service organization which is dedicated to the
continued preservation, revitalization and enhancement of its community;
and

WHEREAS, The Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc. was organized
in 1978 by a small group of friends and neighbors who wanted to make a
lasting contribution to their great community; the founding members
included George Glee, Jr., Bernard McDonald, Reginald Shell, Brenda
Fryson, Gloria Green and Clarence Jones; and

WHEREAS, In those days, urban renewal meant urban destruction and
displacement, and people all over the neighborhood were determined to
hold onto Bedford-Stuyvesant's magnificent housing stock; yet young
people and families were leaving in alarming numbers; they were leaving
the homes, apartment buildings and commercial properties that their
parents and grandparents, those first generations of African Americans
from the South and the Caribbean, had labored to acquire; and

WHEREAS, This became the basis for the Brownstoners first major
initiative which was designed to actively encourage disillusioned
residents and those who had already left to "Come on Home to Bed-Stuy";
the annual house tour was developed to reshape the media's concept of
the community; and

WHEREAS, The successful campaign sparked renewed pride in people who
still lived here and encouraged thousands of African Americans, young
and not so young, to become part of a thriving and welcoming community;
and

WHEREAS, The Brownstoners major service projects have consistently
focused on education, economic development, housing and community
involvement; the hands-on organization maximizes its resources through
the wealth of skills its members freely share; its tradition of taking
it to the streets is a strategy which has reached every corner of this

community through initiatives such as the tax lien outreach project and
voter registration drives; and

WHEREAS, Four decades later, its motto, "Come on Home to Bed-Stuy,"
is even more relevant; for the Brownstoners, "Home" is a spiritual place
for the next generation of children of the African Diaspora, as well as
for those families which make Bedford-Stuyvesant a jewel of diversity
among New York's sparkling mosaic of neighborhoods, each with its own
rich culture; and

WHEREAS, The success of Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc. is
in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, 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 institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
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 40th Anniversary of the Brownstoners of
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.