LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Barbara Smith upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of
the Capital Region

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, Barbara Smith has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Barbara Smith upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region which was
celebrated at its Annual Gala on Friday, October 24, 2014, at Hilton
Albany in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Pride Center of the Capital Region is dedicated to serv-
ing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the
Capital Region; since 1970, the center has been meeting the diverse
needs of LGBT individuals; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith is an author, activist, and independent scholar
who has played a groundbreaking role in opening up a national cultural
and political dialogue concerning the intersections of race, class,
sexuality, and gender; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in the early 1970s, Barbara Smith has been active
in numerous roles influencing Black feminist thought, and served with
many academic institutions; and
WHEREAS, Since moving to Albany in 1984, Barbara Smith has been a
powerful voice in the local community, involved with the Arbor Hill
Neighborhood, and advocating for public safety; and
WHEREAS, For eight years, Barbara Smith served on the Albany Common
Council focusing her efforts on addressing violence and increasing
educational opportunities for youth and families; during this time, she
worked on the gun violence task force, led the effort to establish the
Albany SUNY/Ceasefire, and served as Chair of the Common Council's
Public Safety Committee; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Smith was instrumental in initiating Code Blue,
providing shelter for individuals in extreme weather conditions; in
addition, she is the founder of the Albany Family Education Alliance,
and served as Co-Convener of SUNY's Albany Promise; and
WHEREAS, Since 2010, this remarkable woman has been a Public Service
Professor at University at Albany's School of Social Welfare; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Barbara Smith has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Barbara Smith has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts of
individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life for
others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Barbara Smith upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of

the Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Barbara Smith.