Senate Resolution No. 1125

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Center for Law and Social Justice
upon the occasion of hosting its Summer Gala: A
Celebration of Legacy, on June 28, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to
the cultural enrichment of the State of New York, and to the success and
progress of society during their life's work; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Center for Law and Social Justice upon the occasion of
hosting its Summer Gala: A Celebration of Legacy, on June 28, 2023; this
year's distinguished honoree is Civil Rights Legend Esmeralda Simmons;
and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Center for Law and Social Justice at
Medgar Evers College, CUNY (CLSJ) is to address racial justice issues by
providing quality legal advocacy, conducting community education
campaigns, facilitating research, and building organizing capacity on
behalf of New Yorkers of African descent and the disenfranchised; CLSJ
envisions a civically educated and engaged Black electorate that
consistently builds political power to marshal the representation and
resources necessary for its communities to thrive; and

WHEREAS, CLSJ sponsors advocacy projects and impact litigation in
areas as diverse as voting rights and enforcing voter protections,
housing and employment discrimination, education equity, police reform
and racial violence, census justice, redistricting justice and United
States human rights violations; because of its unique combination of
research, public policy, advocacy and litigation from a community-based
and culturally responsive perspective, CLSJ is a focal point for
progressive activity; and

WHEREAS, In addition to fighting in the court system when necessary,
CLSJ continues to advocate for police reform and ending racial violence,
voting rights, voter protections, census and redistricting justice and
education for New York City's communities of African descent; CLSJ
publicizes the details about how civic processes work and builds the
organizing capacity of Black New Yorkers of African descent to protect
political power from the grassroots level; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, this year's esteemed honoree, and
resident of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, is a civil rights and human
rights attorney of Caribbean-American heritage whose practice focuses on
racial justice for people of African descent in New York; she recently
retired from the Center for Law and Social Justice in Brooklyn, where
she was the founding executive director and organizational leader for 34
years; and

WHEREAS, During her illustrious career, Esmeralda Simmons served as
the First Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights for New York State, and
as a Civil Rights Attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, a New

York State Assistant Attorney General, a New York City Assistant
Corporation Counsel, and as a law clerk to a federal judge; in addition,
she has served on several major public boards in New York City
government, including the NYC Board of Education, the NYC Districting
Commission, and the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, that serves as
a watchdog to the New York Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons strongly believes in community service
and has a history of activism in progressive and electoral political
movements; she volunteers her skills and currently serves on the board
of directors of UPROSE - a climate justice organization; the Council of
Elders for African Cultural Heritage; and Little Sun People - an
outstanding African-centered early childhood education center; and

WHEREAS, In the recent past, Esmeralda Simmons has served on several
boards of national organizations: the Applied Research Center (now "Race
Forward"); Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center; the Child Welfare Fund;
and the Poverty and Race Research Action Council (PRRAC); and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her beloved husband, Lesly
Jean-Jacques, her two cherished sons, and seven wonderful grandchildren,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; 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
commend the Center for Law and Social Justice upon the occasion of
hosting its Summer Gala: A Celebration of Legacy, on June 28, 2023; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Center for Law and Social Justice and Esmeralda
Simmons.