Senate Resolution No. 2137

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of The Reverend
E. J. Matthews Council No. 5989 Knights of Columbus
on June 10, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens 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
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Reverend E. J. Matthews Council
No. 5989 Knights of Columbus to be celebrated at a Dinner Dance on
Saturday, June 10, 2017, at The Baron DeKalb in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus stands on four principles: Charity,
members are called to love their neighbors; Unity, members act as a band
of brothers, focusing on their roles and duties as Catholic men;
Patriotism, participants are Americans who serve our veterans and
profess the importance of religious freedom for everyone; and
Fraternity, each Knight provides assistance to their fellow member as
well as his family; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend E. J. Matthews Council No. 5989 of the Knights
of Columbus was granted a charter from the Supreme Council on June 10,
1967; named after its founder, Reverend E. J. Matthews, the original
members were Catholic gentleman from the Resurrection Church, and
Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Reverend E. J. Matthews held meetings in the basement of
the Church until the organization obtained its own building; from its
humble beginnings of a few men meeting in a basement, The Reverend E. J.
Matthews Council No. 5989 of the Knights of Columbus has grown to a
membership of approximately 450 men, 45 of whom hold the high honor of
4th Degree Knights; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, The Reverend E. J. Matthews Council No.
5989 has participated in numerous fundraisers to benefit various local
organizations such as Resurrection Church and its CCD Program, the
Gerritsen Beach Little League, the Resurrection Sports Program, the
Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department, and GB Cares, as well as the
Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association; and

WHEREAS, The Knights also raise money for cancer research and its
pet project, cystic fibrosis; for 21 years, the Council has supported
research efforts and helped raise awareness for this terrible affliction
through its Annual Pool Tournament held during April and May; and

WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, The Reverend E.
J. Matthews Council No. 5989 Knights of Columbus, under the luminous
leadership of Grand Knight, John Naimoli, has demonstrated the value of
fostering camaraderie in a shared vision of community service; this

mission is indicative of a noble organization which epitomizes the heart
and soul of what it means to be an American; and

WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as The Reverend
E. J. Matthews Council No. 5989 Knights of Columbus provide a model for
enhancing the quality of life in the community and, as such, merit the
grateful praise of the community of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Reverend E. J. Matthews Council
No. 5989 Knights of Columbus on June 10, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Naimoli, Grand Knight, The Reverend E. J. Matthews
Council No. 5989 Knights of Columbus.