Senate Resolution No. 1741

BY: Senator PARKER

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2017, as
United Negro College Fund Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to
the cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
those events of historical significance which add strength, vigor and
inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in the
communities of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2017, as
United Negro College Fund Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The United Negro College Fund's motto, "A mind is a
terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in" is
universally recognized; for 72 years, this vital organization has
enabled more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and obtain
the education they need and that the Nation needs them to have; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President, Michael L.
Lomax, Ph.D., the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the largest
private provider of scholarships to minority students, annually awarding
more than 10,000 scholarships, and administering more than 400
scholarships, internships, and fellowship programs; in 2017, the Fund's
72nd Annual Campaign hopes to raise more than $100 million to assist
even more worthy students; and

WHEREAS, In 1943, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson of the Tuskegee
Institute convened the first meeting to consider the feasibility of a
united appeal on behalf of historically black private colleges and
universities; on May 13, 1944, the organizational meeting of the United
Negro College Fund was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York
City; the initial combined campaign of UNCF raised $760,000; and

WHEREAS, There were 27 original member institutions of the United
Negro College Fund including Atlanta University, Bethune-Cookman
College, Clark College, Dillard University, Fisk University, Gammon
Theological Seminary, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, as well as
the Tuskegee Institute; and

WHEREAS, The formation of UNCF was led by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
and by Walter Hoving, President of Lord & Taylor, who was UNCF's first
national Campaign Director; and

WHEREAS, After John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated 1,100 shares of
Standard Oil stock, UNCF purchased its first headquarters located at 22
E. 54th Street, New York, New York, on December 28, 1948; and


WHEREAS, From 1944-1994, UNCF was headquartered in the State of New
York; since 2000, UNCF has awarded more than $56 million in scholarships
to more than 1,000 students from New York, and has presented more than
$83 million in scholarships to students attending colleges in New York;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $4.5
billion to help more than 430,000 students across the Nation go to and
through college; currently, UNCF continues to provide students quality
academic instruction in positive learning environments at 37-member
historically black colleges and universities, which have long served as
pillars of their communities, offering immense value to both students
and communities; and

WHEREAS, Today, UNCF continues to advocate on behalf of the Nation's
historically black colleges and universities, which represent three
percent of the country's two- and four-year colleges, enrolls 10 percent
of African American undergraduates, produces 19 percent of all African
American college graduates, and generates 27 percent of all degrees held
by African Americans in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics; and

WHEREAS, In addition, UNCF encourages high-quality K-12 education,
promotes college readiness for African American students, and assists
the mission of the Federal Government to endorse equal opportunity in
higher education; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 25, 2017, as
United Negro College Fund Day in the State of New York; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor, State of New
York; Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., President, United Negro College Fund; and
to the Presidents of the 37 member institutions of the United Negro
College Fund.