LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Olgierd Bilanow upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Neighborhood Service Award by the Flat-
bush Development Corporation

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, Olgierd Bilanow has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Olgierd Bilanow upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Neighborhood Service Award by the Flatbush Development Corporation which
was celebrated at its 39th Annual Awards Benefit on Thursday, May 8,
2014, at Gargiulo's Restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Flatbush Development Corporation's mission is to enhance
the quality of life for all segments of the Flatbush community; it iden-
tifies and responds to neighborhood needs and concerns, proactively
creating programs and campaigns that work towards a healthy, safe and
vibrant community; its economic development, housing, youth, and immi-
gration programs serve the exceptionally diverse needs of its community;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Poland, Olgierd Bilanow moved to the United States
when he was 3 years old, and went to school in Manhattan; after attend-
ing high school, he was part of the inaugural class of AmeriCorps, the
domestic Peace Corps; and
WHEREAS, For over two years, Olgierd Bilanow worked on community
projects throughout the city, however was mostly assigned in the Bronx;
one of the projects he worked on was creating a garden next to a local
public school; after finishing his tenure with AmeriCorps, he was hired
by that school to build up their technology department; and
WHEREAS, Olgierd Bilanow received scholarship funds from AmeriCorps,
which allowed him to attend Hunter College; and
WHEREAS, As he continued to work at the Department of Education,
Olgierd Bilanow moved up from the school level to a District Office, and
when Districts were eliminated, he transferred to the central Informa-
tion Technology office for the Department of Education where he has
remained since; and
WHEREAS, Four years ago, Olgierd Bilanow moved his family to Beverley
Square West, having previously lived in Prospect Heights; he was
attracted to Beverley Square West due to the history, architecture, the
open space and trees, being midway between the beach and the city, and a
wish to be his own landlord; and
WHEREAS, Last year, Olgierd Bilanow revived the long dormant Marlbor-
ough Road Block Party with the help of the Beverley Square West Associ-
ation; he is being honored by the Association for this and other efforts
to support the neighborhood, and engage new families to join the Associ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, Olgierd Bilanow has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Olgierd Bilanow has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Bryna, and their two
sons, Felix and Leo, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Olgierd Bilanow has displayed
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Olgierd Bilanow upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Neighborhood Service Award by the Flatbush Development Corpo-
ration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Olgierd Bilanow.