LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring PortSide NewYork upon the occasion of
receiving the White House "Champions of Change" award, on April 24, 2013

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, It is, furthermore, the custom of this Legislative Body to
recognize the caring concern and generous acts of those organizations
who step outside the bounds of their ordinary work to extend a helping
hand to their neighbors and community in times of crisis; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
PortSide NewYork upon the occasion of receiving the White House "Cham-
pions of Change" award, which was presented at a White House ceremony,
on Wednesday, April 24, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The "Champions of Change," award honors everyday Americans
doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-e-
ducate, and out-build the rest of the world; and
WHEREAS, PortSide NewYork, a nonprofit in the Red Hook section of
Brooklyn, New York, won this esteemed award in recognition of their
outstanding relief and recovery work during Hurricane Sandy; and
WHEREAS, PortSide NewYork is housed in the MARY A. WHALEN, an oil
tanker on the National Register of Historic Places, and the only oil
tanker in the world that serves as a center for education, cultural
events, and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, After protecting the MARY A. WHALEN during Hurricane Sandy,
PortSide NewYork, led by Director Carolina Salguero, teamed up with
Realty Collective and Gallery Brooklyn to create the Sandy recovery
center for the Red Hook community; and
WHEREAS, PortSide NewYork created an aid station that evolved to
provide services in response to emerging needs, provided computer equip-
ment to enable people to apply to FEMA, organized the work of an elec-
trician who donated his services for free, and set up free legal clinics
and a small business recovery center; and
WHEREAS, In being selected for this prestigious award, PortSide
NewYork exemplifies the ideals of compassion, care, and concern for
others characteristic of this great State and Nation; 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
honor PortSide NewYork upon the occasion of receiving the White House
"Champions of Change" award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Carolina Salguero, Director, PortSide NewYork.