LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending L. Joy Williams 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 L.
Joy Williams 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, Advocate L. Joy Williams is a political strategist and found-
er of LJW Community Strategies; throughout her professional and civic
endeavors, she has consistently epitomized the values of character,
courage, and commitment in her unwavering service to her students,
colleagues, and community; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Brooklyn, New York, L. Joy Williams serves as a
consultant and adviser to public officials and organizations across the
country, as well as a trusted media commentator; she has been featured
on BET, Pacifica Radio, MSNBC, Current TV and NY1's "Inside City Hall,"
and hosts "TWiB in the Morning" on the award-winning online radio
station TWiB.FM; and
WHEREAS, L. Joy Williams' passion for the democratic process and civic
engagement was instilled at an early age and stems from her family's
deeply rooted faith and commitment to social justice; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, L. Joy Williams combined her problem-solving skills
and compassion for others to initiate Brooklyn Lives, an HIV/AIDS aware-
ness project, after learning that Brooklyn was cited as the HIV/AIDS
epicenter in New York City; in just a few weeks she mobilized elected
officials, nonprofit and business leaders, media companies and the
community at large to provide free testing in more than a dozen
locations, and engaged high school students to make HIV awareness pres-
entations to their peers; and
WHEREAS, L. Joy Williams has had a long and effective career in public
service and political affairs; she has registered voters, coordinated
campaigns, and worked for public officials, serving as special assistant
to former New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, deputy director
to former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson, and program assistant
at Demos, a non-partisan public policy and advocacy organization; and
WHEREAS, L. Joy Williams is the founding Chairman of Higher Heights
for America, President of the Brooklyn NAACP, a National Board Member of
PAC+, and serves on her local community board; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service to her community
and the State of New York, L. Joy Williams has stood constant in digni-
ty, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for L. Joy Williams, 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 L. Joy Williams upon the occasion of being honored in conjunc-
tion 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 L. Joy Williams.