LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Hamilton-Madison House upon the occa-
sion of hosting its 36th Annual June Lee Chinatown Banquet, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees on June 12, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Hamilton-Madison House upon the occasion of hosting its 36th Annual June
Lee Chinatown Banquet, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on
Friday, June 12, 2015, at Jing Fong Restaurant, Chinatown, New York; and
WHEREAS, Each year, this esteemed organization is privileged to recog-
nize outstanding members of the community who have made significant
contributions to the Chinatown community; this year's distinguished
honorees include Cory Koven, who will receive the Humanitarian Award,
and Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, the recipient of the Community
Service Award; and
WHEREAS, June Lee, founder of the Annual Chinatown Banquet, emigrated
to New York City from Lombok, Indonesia, in 1949; a successful business
woman, mother, and community leader, she served as a member of the
Hamilton-Madison House Board of Directors for over three decades; and
WHEREAS, Hamilton-Madison House is a voluntary, non-profit settlement
house dedicated to improving the quality of life of its community,
primarily those in the Two Bridges/Chinatown area of Manhattan's Lower
East Side, operating in 18 sites; and
WHEREAS, Since its establishment in 1898, Hamilton-Madison House has
been a part of the settlement house movement in New York City that has
pioneered the development and protection of humane policies and
programs; these efforts have fostered social well-being among the most
vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, the ill, the
handicapped, new immigrants, refugees and the unemployed; and
WHEREAS, This vital organization provides programs such as early-
childhood education, youth development services, senior services, mental
health and addiction treatment services, as well as immigrant/community
services; and
WHEREAS, Senior Centers offer its more than 5,000 seniors over the age
of 62, health, social and nutritional services; the Behavioral Health
Program is the largest outpatient clinic focused on the Asian community
on the East Coast; and
WHEREAS, The Early Childhood Educational Program offers a variety of
day care options for children between the ages of 2 months and 6 years
old; the Music School provides accessible and affordable violin and
cello lessons for children ages 5-12; and
WHEREAS, Immigrant and Community Services provide legal assistance,
health screenings, financial counseling, case management, language
translation, application assistance and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, The Hamilton-Madison House serves more than 10,000 children
and adults annually with a multi-lingual, multi-cultural staff of 330
people who speak 15 languages, including six Chinese dialects; these
outstanding caregivers promote understanding and cooperation among the
ethnic groups, and are attuned to their changing needs; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions and individuals who enhance the well-being and vitality of their
community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence

certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Hamilton-Madison House upon the occasion of hosting its 36th
Annual June Lee Chinatown Banquet, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees on June 12, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Hamilton-Madison House, and the aforementioned honorees.