Assembly Resolution No. 2242

BY: M. of A. Lee

HONORING Don B. Lee posthumously for his
contributions to the Asian American community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Don B. Lee was born in Hong Kong in 1959 and immigrated to
New York City at the age of 10 years old, growing up in Manhattan's
Chinatown; he attended P.S. 130 and Seward Park High School; and

WHEREAS, Working at Hop Lee restaurant in Chinatown to support
himself, Don B. Lee earned his degree from New York University; aspiring
to become a public servant for New York City, he started his
professional career working under four different mayoral
administrations, where he automated operations for the Mayor's office,
created a new management system for the Fulton Fish Market, and vastly
increased small and medium business access to city contracts through
automating a Bid-Match Program for the Department of Business Services;
and

WHEREAS, Shifting his focus to healthcare, Don B. Lee served as
Chief Information Officer for the South Manhattan Healthcare Network; he
transformed the IT systems of Bellevue Hospital Center and other
significant institutions in the community network, improved service to
thousands of users across facilities, and also aided the Coalition of
Asian American IPA, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Truly devoted to his community and never forgetting his
roots, Don B. Lee had a passion for community activism; throughout his
life, he advocated for the dignity and rights of Asian Americans and
called for wider scales of justice; he served on his local community
board, then rose to the occasion to protest for transportation access
for Asian American community during the Grand Street Subway closure in
1995; and

WHEREAS, After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Don B. Lee raised
support for Chinatown businesses and served as a liaison in connecting
local businesses with FEMA; and

WHEREAS, Exemplifying his love for Asian American representation and
Chinese cooking, a significant victory of Don B. Lee's advocacy was
changing the law to support Chinatown street vendors to receive licenses
and fight against unfair treatment; and

WHEREAS, Delving into research about the diets of Chinese
Transcontinental Railroad workers, Don B. Lee presented cooking
demonstrations at Railroad commemorations around the country; and

WHEREAS, Tirelessly supporting his community through the Covid-19
Pandemic, Don B. Lee worked to ensure hate crimes against Asian
Americans were named and prosecuted accordingly; and


WHEREAS, Under his able leadership, Homecrest Community Services, a
non-profit organization, serves immigrant seniors and their families in
South Brooklyn; he carried the role as the organization's Board Char for
over 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Don B. Lee's reach in helping the community is remarkable
and he worked endlessly to provide services and advocate for the rights
of the disadvantaged communities, from setting up health fairs, to
leading rallies, to delivering hot meals to members during the Covid-19
Pandemic; and

WHEREAS, His work impacting countless families and individuals,
Homecrest Community Services established three centers that covered a
wide area of South Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Lai, and his
daughter, Victoria, both of whom have felt privileged to have been a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Don B. Lee posthumously for his contributions to the Asian
American community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Don B. Lee.