Honor NAACP Auburn/Cayuga Branch

Senate Resolution No. 2115 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO COMMENDING the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of hosting its 50th Anniversary Freedom Fund Gala on May 12, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those enduring organizations which devote their purposeful energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of those they serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering cultural pride; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of hosting its 50th Anniversary Freedom Fund Gala on Friday, May 12, 2017, at the Springside Inn, Fleming, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the Nation; its history is one of activism and relentless advocacy for safeguarding the rights of African-Americans and other minority groups; from championing voter registration and economic empowerment to demanding equity in education, the NAACP has waged a tireless fight to ensure the civil rights of all Americans; and WHEREAS, The Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP has been serving the county for more than 70 years; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP ensures the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority citizens; in addition, this vital organization has been extraordinarily committed to eliminating racial prejudice and to educating the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and WHEREAS, The NAACP Freedom Fund began nationally in 1953, as a 10 year program to intensify efforts to complete the job of emancipation; for the past 50 years, the Freedom Fund of the Auburn/Cayuga NAACP has made a tremendous impact in its community; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its President, Eliezer Hernandez, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP has awarded $22,600 in scholarships to graduating students of color from Cayuga County since

2007; and WHEREAS, The Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP has also assisted 40 students with college stipends, and in 2016, awarded four students with college stipends; and WHEREAS, The Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP set forth as their primary goal for the year 2017, to provide 10 students with $500 college assistance stipends; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital organization awarded 120 eighth grade students with an average of 85% or better from Auburn Junior High School with the PROMISE AWARD; the branch renewed its commitment to the PROMISE AWARD recipients in 2010, by providing the students with a one-year membership to the Youth Chapter of the NAACP; and WHEREAS, In recognition of African American Pioneers in Auburn, the NAACP recognizes outstanding community members for continuing the work necessary to move the community forward; the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP, the Auburn City Manager and Chief of Police hold discussions directed toward improving relationships among local community members and city officials; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished history, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it so ably serves; and WHEREAS, The success of the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP; 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 recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of hosting its 50th Anniversary Freedom Fund Gala on May 12, 2017 ; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.