Honor Imam Sebkhaoui Award

Senate Resolution No. 3044 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Joyce Giles Pastoral Service Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on September 13, 2017 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui 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 Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Joyce Giles Pastoral Service Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches, to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at the Albany Country Club, Voorheesville, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1941, the Capital Area Council of Churches (CACC) is a fellowship of more than 90 faith communities in the Capital District; and WHEREAS, This vital organization provides a wide range of services and programs dedicated to bringing congregations together in solidarity to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide ecumenical and interreligious education, advocacy and worship; and WHEREAS, CACC also offers a range of interfaith worship services, celebrations and forums such as Ecumenical Witnesses of Baptism, the Good Friday service and an annual musical celebration; and WHEREAS, Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui of the Al'Hidaya Mosque in Latham, New York, is receiving this inaugural award for his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community; and WHEREAS, Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui 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, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a period of constructive involvement, Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals for the benefit of others which Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui 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 honor Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Joyce Giles Pastoral Service Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on September 13, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui.