LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Hornrette Washington upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Community Service Award by the
National Association of University Women, Queens Branch on May 18, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
individuals who distinguish themselves in their profession and in
service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in keeping with its long-stand-
ing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Hornrette
Washington upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Community Service Award by the National Association of University Women,
Queens Branch, at its 60th Anniversary and Scholarship Luncheon to be
held on May 18, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of the late Reverend Richard and Reverend Inez
Thomas, Hornrette Washington was born in Harlem, New York, and was
educated in the New York City public school system; and
WHEREAS, She worked in the New York City Department of Social Services
for 39 years and retired as an Administrative Assistant to the Commis-
sioner of the Medical Assistance Program in 2002; and
WHEREAS, Hornrette Washington started playing the piano at age four
and it was immediately apparent that she was gifted; and
WHEREAS, As a young adult, pursuing her love of music, Hornrette Wash-
ington established an interdenominational children's choir, The Starlets
of Corona, which sang at churches throughout the five boroughs and in
the southland doing community work at prisons, drug rehabilitation
centers and senior facilities; R&B recording artist Meli'ssa Morgan is
one of Hornrette's proteges who has emerged out of this very multital-
ented choir; and
WHEREAS, In October 2013, she became the Minister of Music Emeritus
after serving faithfully for 31 years with Dr. Marvin J. Bentley at the
Antioch Baptist Church of Corona; she has also presided over five
choirs, the liturgical dance ministry and a sign ministry for the deaf
and hard of hearing; and
WHEREAS, Hornrette Washington's music ministry, in addition to her
work with the Elmhurst Clergy Association, embraces the ministry of 10
neighborhood churches; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she serves as a musician, consultant and praise
and worship leader at conferences for the American Baptist Metro-New
York, American Baptist Women in Ministry, and American Baptist Women's
Ministries, as well as an active participant in the Gospel Music Work-
shop of America and the Hampton Minister and Musician Guild, National
Convention of Choir and Chorus; and
WHEREAS, Hornrette Washington has also recorded an inspirational CD
entitled "Essence of Gospel"; and
WHEREAS, Hornrette Washington also serves as a guest musician at
Women's Day Services throughout the New York City metropolitan area, as
a praise and worship leader at church retreats, and provides enter-
tainment for the residents at Elmhurst Care Nursing Rehabilitation
Center; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding woman has received numerous awards, procla-
mations, and letters of appreciation from many officials in Queens for
her work in the community; and
WHEREAS, A global traveler, Hornrette Washington has traveled through-
out the United States for American Baptist and on her own to Jerusalem,
Europe, Haiti, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Canada; and
WHEREAS, Hornrette Washington knows and appreciates that she is fortu-
nate to have her family, including her son, Richard Washington, her

daughter, Victoria Gordon, and her grandson, Taishon Black, all of whom
are proud to be part of her life and rejoice in her many accomplish-
ments; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Hornrette Washington upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Community Service Award by the National Association of
University Women, Queens Branch; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Hornrette Washington.