Senate Resolution No. 1175

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Medina Court No. 11 upon the occasion
of hosting its 112th Annual Ball, honoring
Illustrious Commandress Dt. Vanessa C. Vanderhorst
on July 29, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 Medina Court No. 11 upon the occasion of hosting its 112th
Annual Ball honoring Illustrious Commandress Dt. Vanessa C. Vanderhorst
to be celebrated on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the LaGuardia Plaza
Hotel in Queens, New York; and

WHEREAS, Medina Court was organized as Naja Court No. 11 in the
Desert of New York, Oasis of Manhattan, on October 11, 1909; Bessie
Little, assisted by Francis Butler and 14 members formed a chapter which
was warranted by Medina Temple No. 19, A.E.A.O.N.M.S. of North and South
America, and Past Imperial Potentate Eugene Phillips (1910-1913) was the
Illustrious Potentate of Medina Temple No. 19 at the time; and

WHEREAS, In August of 1910, Naja Court became a charter member of
the Grand Court, Daughters of Isis in Detroit, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Dt. Francis Butler, who succeeded Dt. Bessie Little as
Commandress, went on to become the eighth Grand Commandress of the Grand
Court and the only Past Grand Commandress from this Oasis; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, after 20 Commandresses had served, Naja Court took
the name of its Temple and was renamed Medina Court No. 11; a new
charter was issued, and Dt. Lyndall Bailey became the first Illustrious
Commandress of the court we know today; and

WHEREAS, Vanessa C. Vanderhorst became a member of Rebecca Chapter
No.23, Prince Hall Order Eastern Star, Inc. on April 6, 2012; she served
as Worthy Matron 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, In August of 2014, Vanessa C. Vanderhorst became a member
of Medina Court No. 11 and currently serves as the 112th Illustrious
Commandress of this historic court, which is the oldest court in the
desert/state of New York and is known as the Mother of Northern Deserts;
and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Illustrious Commandress
Dt. Vanessa C. Vanderhorst, Medina Court No. 11 has been actively
involved with the Bronx, and Harlem, New York, communities and metro
areas; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her role as Illustrious Commandress, Vanessa
C. Vanderhorst serves as both historian and deputy of Desert of New
York, and historian of Medina Court No. 11; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her court
and her community, Illustrious Commandress Dt. Vanessa C. Vanderhorst
has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including being
named a 2023 Daughter of Distinction, Medina Court No. 11 Daughter of
the Year, and the Supporter Service Award from the Imperial National
Community Health Initiative; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations and individuals 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 Medina Court No. 11 upon the occasion of hosting its 112th
Annual Ball, honoring Illustrious Commandress Dt. Vanessa C.
Vanderhorst; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Medina Court No. 11 and Illustrious Commandress Dt.
Vanessa C. Vanderhorst.