Senate Resolution No. 268

BY: Senator PARKER

CONGRATULATING Josephine Emily Samms upon the
occasion of celebrating her 106th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Josephine Emily Samms upon the occasion of her 106th
Birthday to be celebrated on Monday, January 23, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Emily Samms was born to Marie Baxter Jureidini
and Najeeb "Phillip Michael" Jureidini on January 23, 1917, in Jamaica;
she has two older brothers, Ameen and Sahid, and five younger siblings,
Winifred, Mavis, Haloon, Charles and Horace; and

WHEREAS, Josephine met and married her beloved husband, Lloyd W.
Samms, and together they raised their loving daughter, Colleen, with
their shared values of hard-work, commitment and family; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Emily Samms' devotion to caring for others began
at an early age and she has carried it with her throughout her entire
life; she realized her dreams of becoming a nurse when she was admitted
into the Nursing School at Kingston Public Hospital; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1950s, as a result of her English-based
training, Josephine Emily Samms was recruited by the United States to be
a Registered Nurse and migrated to New York; after 25 years of exemplary
service, she was honored by the New York State Nurses Association; and

WHEREAS, With a passion to care for others, Josephine Emily Samms
has truly inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; she
has remained faithful to her family in both the United States and
Jamaica, assisting several nieces to become nurses and providing support
to her siblings during their retirement; through the years, she has also
given generously to several local charity organizations; and

WHEREAS, Today, Josephine Emily Samms is the proud and loving
grandmother to two grandchildren, Nichola and Richard, one
great-granddaughter, Christina, and two great-great granddaughters,
Khloe and Chelsea; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Emily Samms remains a vibrant individual; she
begins each morning with prayer, reads the Daily News, and completes the
Jumble; she loves to garden and has been a member of the Brooklyn
Botanic Garden since the 1960s; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, an avid world traveler, Josephine Emily Samms
enjoyed many tours and cruises with her husband, and continues to travel
locally and internationally with her daughter and granddaughter; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Josephine Emily Samms upon the occasion of celebrating her
106th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Josephine Emily Samms.