Honor Janus Adams at SUNY

Senate Resolution No. 4334 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMENDING Janus Adams upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York at New Paltz on May 19, 2018 WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and careers to the service of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Janus Adams upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York at New Paltz during its commencement exercises on Saturday, May 19, 2018; and WHEREAS, This prestigious degree recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, service to his or her community, and achievements in their chosen profession; Janus Adams is truly deserving of this award; and WHEREAS, A 1967 alumna of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz's theater arts program, Janus Adams is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, historian, speaker, musician, and bestselling author of 11 books; and WHEREAS, An accomplished pianist, Janus Adams was a student at the High School of Performing Arts, now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, in New York City; after graduating, she continued her studies at SUNY New Paltz; and WHEREAS, Upon earning her undergraduate degree, Janus Adams earned the nation's first graduate degree in black studies from Mills College; she then pursued doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she was mentored by author and composer Shirley Graham DuBois; and WHEREAS, Janus Adams has dedicated her life to service by recording and advocating social justice, as well as civil and human rights; she was the first National Arts Correspondent for NPR, and currently, presents lectures on subjects such as business, women's rights, and her favorite topic, "history and healing"; and WHEREAS, Throughout Janus Adams' long and distinguished career, she has been a visionary and served as a news commentator of various African-American and women's programming, hosting her own radio and television talk shows, appearing as a guest on all the major news outlets, and publishing numerous articles, essays and columns in newspapers such as Newsday, USA Today, and the Huffington Post; and WHEREAS, Janus Adams, throughout her purposeful life, has served her community with integrity and devotion, continuously striving to meet the needs of her community through entertainment and enlightenment; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence 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 commend Janus Adams upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SUNY New Paltz on May 19, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Janus Adams.