LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Dr. Una S.T. Clarke upon the occa-
sion of receiving a Woman of Distinction Appreciation Award

WHEREAS, The Honorable Una S.T. Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman
elected to the New York City's legislature, is a proven and dedicated
leader whose hard work and tireless advocacy have brought remarkable
changes to her community; and
WHEREAS, Born in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies,
Dr. Clarke migrated to the United States as a foreign student in 1958;
and
WHEREAS, She was elected in 1991 and during her 10 years tenure she
sponsored more than 300 pieces of legislation on a wide range of issues
including child welfare, education, health and mental health issues,
economic development, public safety and transportation; and
WHEREAS, Her portfolio in the Council included committees on Aging,
Youth Services, Economic Development, Health and Mental Health, and
General Welfare; she also chaired the Council's committee on Mental
Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; she
was an active member of the Council's Black and Hispanic Caucus; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clarke directed millions of dollars for education, health
and mental health, economic development to her district, and pursued the
implementation of critical projects and programs through her ability to
win help and support from labor, government, community and business
leaders; and
WHEREAS, An educator by profession, she has leveraged millions of
dollars to upgrade schools in her district, and have made them techno-
logically ready for the 21st Century with computer labs in every school
and a model program for multi-media instruction; Dr. Clarke also fought
to expand services for the elderly, rebuild parks and playgrounds and
increase quality childcare programs; and
WHEREAS, Sensitive to the needs of immigrants, Dr. Clarke has led
campaigns for citizenship and voter registration to enable her constitu-
ents to receive greater rights and benefits; in response to flaws in the
immigration law, she led delegations to Washington, D.C., to educate
Congress for changes that would make the law more just for all immi-
grants; in addition, she is a tireless advocate and supporter of U.S.
foreign policy towards the Caribbean, especially on issues of trade; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Dr. Clarke was appointed as a delegate to the Elec-
toral College; and
WHEREAS, She received high accolades for her savvy and commitment to
issues that are important to her Brooklyn constituents; Dr. Clarke was
appointed in 2001 as Director of the Empire State Development Corpo-
ration for the borough of Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clarke holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Long
Island University and a Masters of Education degree from New York
University, with additional post-graduate studies at Teachers College
and the School of Business at Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, she was the first foreign-born recipient of
Columbia's prestigious Charles H. Revson Fellowship; she has been
honored with numerous awards from both community and professional organ-
izations; in 1999, she received the second highest honor that a civilian
can receive from the Government of Jamaica; and
WHEREAS, She was also awarded the Commander of the Order of
Distinction (C.D.), for distinguished service for Jamaicans and Caribbe-
an nationals in North America; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clarke is the first Caribbean-born woman to receive the
prestigious 2001 Ellis Island Medal of Honor; in November 2005, she

received the honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Technolo-
gy in Jamaica (DLtt); and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, and their two
children, Leslie Clarke Sr., the Honorable Yvette D. Clarke and tele-
vision producer Leslie Clarke Jr., as well as three grandsons, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Dr. Una S.T. Clarke upon the occasion of receiving a Woman
of Distinction Appreciation Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Una S.T. Clarke.