Senate Resolution No. 3663

BY: Senator LARKIN

COMMENDING Kevin D. White upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Major
General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter, Tuskegee
Airmen, Inc. on February 3, 2018

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Kevin White has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Kevin D.
White upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. to
be celebrated at its Tuition Assistance Dinner Dance on Saturday,
February 3, 2018, at Anthony's Pier 9, New Windsor, New York; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Newburgh Free Academy High School,
Kevin D. White attended Howard University where he majored in
accounting; he eventually transferred to Baruch College in New York City
where he earned his bachelor's degree in management; he then went to
work on Wall Street; and

WHEREAS, Kevin D. White has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Although he enjoyed this work, Kevin D. White always had an
interest in doing something more meaningful with his life; he attributes
this desire to his initial upbringing in a New York City housing project
in the Bronx; he often dreamt of returning to help others find a way
out; and

WHEREAS, Kevin D. White soon left Wall Street and took a job as a
substance abuse counselor working with individuals on the lower east
side of New York City; he eventually moved on to work with
developmentally disabled youth and psychiatrically disabled adults,
helping them gain meaningful employment and maximize their life
potential; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work as a substance abuse counselor,
Kevin D. White also pursued a career as a staff trainer, working with
inmates on Riker's Island in an effort to prepare them for a successful
return to society; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Kevin D. White became the director of an
alternative to incarceration program in New York City, where he worked
to secure the release of thousands of young felony offenders, and helped
them enroll in school and find meaningful employment; and

WHEREAS, Kevin D. White later redirected his efforts towards
prevention work and went on to establish several afterschool programs in
Brooklyn as well as a welfare-to-work program for poor single mothers in
Harlem; and

WHEREAS, Kevin D. White furthered his education by obtaining his
master's degree in education from Fordham University; recently, he has
started working on his Ph.D. in Sociology; and

WHEREAS, After Kevin D. White and his wife, Kim Turner, moved to the
Newburgh area, they created the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy (NPAA)
in 2004; under Kevin's management and the creative talent of Kim, NPAA
has grown to provide high quality professional instruction in dance,
music, theater and visual arts offering over 150 classes per week
serving over 500 young people each year; and

WHEREAS, In July of 2010, Kevin D. White's successful management of
NPAA led to the merger of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy and the
Glenn E. Hines Memorial Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh to form what is
now known as the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh; and

WHEREAS, Through Kevin D. White's steadfast commitment, this union
has created an organization which provides youth development services in
the arts, academics and athletics to over 2,000 young people each year;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with youth, Kevin D. White serves
on the Board of Directors of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, the Newburgh
Community Land Bank, and teaches Sociology at SUNY Orange; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Kevin D. White has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Kevin D. White has displayed
throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
commending Kevin D. White upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter,
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kevin D. White.