LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Deb Howard upon the occasion of being
honored in conjunction with Women's History Month 2014 in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those women of achievement within the Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others
through their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Deb Howard upon the occasion of being honored in conjunction with
Women's History Month 2014 in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made
invaluable contributions to the growth and strength of New York State in
countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the State of New York officially sets aside time
to recognize the achievements and lives of such exemplary women, repre-
sentatives of the wide-ranging and vital roles women have played in the
historic development of this great Empire State and its communities; the
theme of this year's commemoration is "Celebrating Women of Character,
Courage, and Commitment"; and
WHEREAS, A leader in community development in Brooklyn, New York, Deb
Howard has dedicated much of her professional life to improving neigh-
borhoods and advocating for good housing policy; throughout her profes-
sional and civic endeavors, she has consistently epitomized the values
of character, courage, and commitment in her unwavering service to her
community; and
WHEREAS, Deb Howard is Executive Director of the Pratt Area Community
Council (PACC), a community-based organization serving the Central
Brooklyn neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights,
and Bedford Stuyvesant in five programmatic areas: homeowner and home-
buyer services; community and tenant organizing; lead poisoning
prevention; economic development and commercial revitalization; and
support services for persons living with chronic illness and substance
abuse; and
WHEREAS, Deb Howard began her distinguished career in community devel-
opment as a VISTA volunteer in Chicago after graduating from Knox
College with a degree in Urban Studies; she joined PACC in 1990, and
served in multiple capacities, expanding the range and depth of her
expertise until she became the organization's Housing Director in 2002,
and assumed her present role in 2004; and
WHEREAS, As Executive Director, Deb Howard oversees a staff of 75, and
manages a portfolio of 76 buildings, with their 1000th unit of afforda-
ble housing now in development; under her luminous leadership, PACC is
truly making a difference in the lives of Brooklyn residents; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her vital work with PACC, Deb Howard demon-
strates her commitment to the community by lending her time and talent
to many organizations and efforts; she serves as Board Chair of the
Association of Neighborhood Housing Developers, and sits on the board of
Brooklyn Legal Services; and
WHEREAS, Deb Howard is also a member Brooklyn Speaks, and the steering
committees of New Yorkers for Responsible Lending and the Coalition for
the Improvement of Bedford Stuyvesant; she has served on former New York
City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Neighborhood Initiatives Advisory Panel
as Chair of the Small Buildings Committee; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service to her community
Deb Howard has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Deb Howard, and to wish her continued
success in all of her future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Deb Howard upon the occasion of being honored in conjunction
with Women's History Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Deb Howard.