Senate Resolution No. 1183

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception,
and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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
organizations 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 IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception, and to pay tribute to
this year's honorees to be feted at its Celebrating Flourishing
Communities Event on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at The Irondale Center
in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, IMPAACT is an award-winning nonprofit organization which
fights to preserve project-based Section 8 Housing, works to prevent
foreclosures, organizes against lead paint hazards, educates residents
through workshops and counseling, provides loans and grants to
homebuyers and small businesses, and creates business retention and
revitalization activities; and

WHEREAS, As a community development corporation, IMPACCT strives to
preserve and develop safe and affordable housing, support vibrant local
commerce, sustain and develop an economic, racial and cultural
diversity, promote knowledge, initiative, and concerted action and
foster an ethic that all members of the community bear personal
responsibility to contribute to the greater good; and

WHEREAS, This year's event, Celebrating Flourishing Communities,
will honor and recognize Deb Howard, IMPACCT's retiring Executive
Director; for 26 years, she has fought for the affordable housing
movement and diligently worked to better the community through her work
with the organization; and

WHEREAS, In addition, IMPACCT will be honoring Denise Scott, the
Executive Vice President for Programs at Local Initiatives Support
Corporation (LISC) for her outstanding leadership in community
development; and

WHEREAS, Executive Vice President Denise Scott is in charge of
LISC's national and local program; she previously managed its flagship
program in New York City, focusing on affordable housing, commercial
corridors, education, health and jobs in some of the city's toughest
neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Deb Howard began working for IMPACCT in 1990 as a Community
Consultant working with tenants, landlords and small homeowners;
subsequently, she became a certified homeowner counselor specializing in
foreclosure prevention, individually assisting residents in their
efforts to purchase and maintain their homes; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, she became the Director of Homeowner Services,
designing and overseeing services and programs which enable neighborhood
residents to become homeowners and provide information to support their
efforts to resist displacement; four years later, she became the Housing
Director, managing and supervising IMPACCT's affordable housing
development projects; and

WHEREAS, For her dedication and commitment to developing affordable,
safe and healthy communities, Deb Howard holds numerous positions
including Chair of the Small Buildings Committee for Mayor Bloomberg's
Neighborhood Initiatives Advisory Panel, President of the Friends of
Clinton Hill Library, Elder at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church and
Chair of their Capital Campaign; she is also a member of the Association
for Neighborhood Housing Developers, New Yorkers for Responsible Lending
and Women in Housing Finance; and

WHEREAS, Deb Howard has been the recipient of multiple awards and
accolades for her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her community
including the prestigious Woman of Distinction from the New York State
Senate in 1998; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception, and to pay tribute to
this year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Deb Howard, Denise Scott and IMPACCT.