Honor Ray Knights for Service

Senate Resolution No. 1940 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING Ray Knights upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. on April 29, 2017 WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ray Knights upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. to be celebrated at its 50th Annual Founders' Day Observance Luncheon on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Gargiulos Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious occasion is entitled "72 Years of L.E.T.S. - Leaders Exemplary Timeless Service; Marching forward with a purpose"; each year, The Brooklyn Club acknowledges its Founders; "the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have to prepare our young people for the future"; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.), which provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community through volunteerism; and WHEREAS, Ray Knights is receiving this prestigious award for his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community; and WHEREAS, For over 25 years, Ray Knights has been working in the field of social services in many capacities including Head Teacher, Apartment Coordinator, and Residential Supervisor; during this time, he observed there was a gap in services in many minority communities, such as Bedford Stuyvesant; as a result, he established Elmy's Special Services, Inc. (ESS) in 2002; and WHEREAS, ESS is a not-for-profit organization operating under the auspices of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office for Children and Family Services, and the New York State Department of Health; ESS has successfully provided a variety of supports and services to numerous individuals with developmental disabilities in underserved minority communities within New York City; and WHEREAS, As part of the organization's commitment to assist individuals residing in underserved communities, Ray Knights and his leadership team work tirelessly to identify areas in need throughout New York City; and WHEREAS, Ray Knights has been an advocate for all individuals with special needs and their family members; he truly believes "These individuals should be treated with the utmost care, dignity, and respect regardless of their economics and/or the community they live in"; and WHEREAS, In addition to his work with ESS, Ray Knights participates in a number of organizations within the Bedford Stuyvesant community; and WHEREAS, In 2006, Ray Knights was appointed by City Council Member Al Vann, to serve as a Member of the CB3 Brooklyn Neighborhood Advisory Board, a role he held for four years; and WHEREAS, Three years later, Ray Knights was selected to the Commissioner's Advisory board in Albany, New York; in this capacity, he actively engaged in issues and influenced changes which had a tremendous effect on the developmentally disabled population; and WHEREAS, A dynamic public servant, Ray Knights was a member of the Board of Directors of the Interagency Council, the Secretary and a founding Board member of the New York Association of Emerging & Multicultural Providers, Inc., and Chair of the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities Queens Multicultural Taskforce; and WHEREAS, From 2009-2011, Ray Knights served as the Legislative Chair of the Executive Board of the Brooklyn MR/DD Council; in 2015, he graduated from the New York City's Citizen's Police Academy in order to help bridge the gap between police and the Bedford Stuyvesant community; and where he lives; and WHEREAS, Currently, Ray Knights holds the title of Public Relations Officer of Brooklyn's 79th Precinct Council, and is a Board member of the Boys and Girls High School; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, 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 honor Ray Knights upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ray Knights.