Senate Resolution No. 865

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the New
Rochelle Branch of the NAACP

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those enduring organizations which devote their
purposeful energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of
those they serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering pride
among them; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the New Rochelle Branch of the
NAACP; and

WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP) remains an important and vital progressive voice,
focusing on major civil and human rights priorities including
strengthening access to quality education, improving health and
environmental justice outcomes, building economic opportunity and
security, advancing criminal justice reform, and promoting political
representation and civic participation; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the NAACP is to ensure a society in which
all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race;
and

WHEREAS, The New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP was organized in 1923,
largely through the efforts of Annie Lucille Alleyne, wife of Rev.
Cameron C. Allenyne, pastor of St. Catherine AME Zion Church, and
assisted by her good friend, Walter White, just 14 years after the
National Association was created; as with so many NAACP branches, the
New Rochelle Branch was organized in a church - Bethesda Baptist Church,
and Annie Lucille Alleyne became the temporary chairperson; and

WHEREAS, This Branch of the NAACP focuses on education, political
leadership, membership, technology, and housing; and

WHEREAS, One of the notable events in the history of the New
Rochelle Branch of the NAACP includes continuing the fight to retain the
only minority city council district in New Rochelle; and

WHEREAS, The Officers of this esteemed organization, President, Min
Mark McLean; 1st Vice President, Aisha Cook; 2nd Vice President, Judith
Henry; 3rd Vice President, Dr. Jonathan Williams; Secretary, Denise
Ford; Assistant Secretary, Carol Bracey; and Treasurer, Gayla Marsh,
have made the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP one of the leading civil
rights groups in New York State; and

WHEREAS, The success of the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP is also
in direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Committee members,
Myriam Decime; Deloise Jackson; Hon. Pearl Quarles; Richard St. Paul,
Esq.; Jennifer Minto-Hinton; Stephine Bartee; Sonya Spady; Mary Smith;
Patricia Gilmore; Luetwinder Savage; Dorothy Oliver; Valerie Williams;

and Dr. Carla H. Woolbright, 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 organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, The New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP is committed to
helping find durable solutions to the multiple challenges facing its
communities; the history of the NAACP has shown that freedom comes with
a price, a price they are willing to pay, serving as a vanguard to
ensure justice and equality for all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the New Rochelle Branch of the
NAACP; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP.