LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Matthew Shafit upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Brooklyn Housing & Family
Services on June 19, 2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors,
and community service are an example and inspiration to their
colleagues, friends, family, and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Matthew Shafit upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion by the Brooklyn Housing & Family Services, to be celebrated at its
Annual Carole Jayson Memorial Dinner, on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Rex
Manor Catering Hall in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Housing & Family Services has diligently served
the communities of Central Brooklyn since 1971, and through its Tenant
Committees, has successfully initiated building improvements and combat-
ed the deterioration of housing in its Borough; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton,
Matthew Shafit also earned a degree from Harvard Law School; and
WHEREAS, Matthew Shafit is the General Counsel of the Department of
Housing Preservation and Development (HPD); he joined HPD as Deputy
General Counsel for Property Management in 1986, became Deputy General
Counsel for Development in 1988, and General Counsel in 1995; and
WHEREAS, As General Counsel, Matthew Shafit oversees the provision of
all legal services to HPD, the nation's largest municipal housing agen-
cy; his career at HPD has spanned both Mayor Koch's Ten Year Housing
Plan, and Mayor Bloomberg's New Housing Marketplace Plan; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining HPD, Matthew Shafit was a real estate and
land use attorney at the law firm of Rosenman, Colin, Freund, Louis &
Cohen; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Matthew Shafit has
stood constant in dignity, good grace, and humor and has earned the
respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Matthew Shafit has displayed throughout
his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Matthew Shafit upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Brooklyn Housing & Family Services on June 19, 2014;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Matthew Shafit.