Senate Resolution No. 859

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose
Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023 Annual
Awards Benefit Gala, and paying tribute to this
year's honoree

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
commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of
hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala on Sunday, April 30, 2023;
and

WHEREAS, This year's honoree is Grant Valentine, Trustee and Deputy
Mayor for the Village of Chestnut Ridge, New York, and the former
Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for
New York State Parole; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Concord Law School and Queens College, Grant
Valentine worked for over 32 years in both criminal and juvenile
justice, administration, budgeting, evidence-based management, quality
assurance and training; in 2012, he officially retired as the Assistant
Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for New York
State Parole; and

WHEREAS, A three-term Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of
Chestnut Ridge, New York, Grant Valentine has been actively involved
with numerous organizations including Rockland Community College,
Rockland County Youth Bureau, Chestnut Ridge Planning Board, Rockland
County District Attorney's Office, Rockland County Sheriff's Office,
Rockland County Department of Health School Coalition, Strategic
Planning for the East Ramapo Central School District of Rockland County,
President Obama My Brother's Keeper, Martin Luther King Oratory Contest,
Boys and Girls Club of America Rockland County Steering Committee,
Rockland County Branch of the American Association of University Women,
the Edmund and Susan Gordon Partnership Institute at CEJJES, African
Parade committee of Rockland County, Prince Hall Masons of Tappan Zee
Lodge of Rockland County, Grand Lodge of the State of New York,
Poinsettia Chapter Eastern Stars, New York State Police Reform and
Reinvention Collaborative for Rockland County and the Rockland Sheriff's
Office, 9th Judicial District committee that covers Westchester,
Rockland and Orange Counties on jury reform, and the New York State
Cannabis Association of Minorities and Women Professionals, as well as
the Westchester Rockland Cannabis Business Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Grant Valentine was a 2012 finalist for the White House
Fellow program and was the recipient of numerous other accolades for his
steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community including the 2012
African American Chamber of Commerce for Westchester/Rockland Award, the

2013 Education Excellence Award for the Northeast Region by Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, the 2016 Rockland County Award for Black History Month,
the 2017 honoree and award recipient from the Tender Steps Organization
of New York, 2019 Unsung Hero Award for Rockland County, 2019 Zeta Phi
Beta Sorority Tau Gamma Zeta Chapter Recognition Honor, 2020 Black
History Award by the East Ramapo Central School District, and the 2022
NAACP Nyack Freedom Award; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Linda, their four
children, Grant III, Janeen, Vance, and Nicole, and six grandchildren,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Grant Valentine has displayed
throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of
hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala, and to pay tribute to this
year's honoree; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center and to Grant
Valentine.