Honor Stewart Couple's Work

Senate Resolution No. 2200 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING Paul and Mary Liz Stewart upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, Inc. on September 27, 2019 WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals 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 commend Paul and Mary Liz Stewart upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, Inc. to be celebrated at its 1st Annual Gala on Friday,

September 27, 2019, at Treviso by Mallozzi's in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Paul and Mary Liz Stewart are being honored for their tireless efforts to further the Center's mission of strengthening communities by fostering unity, self-determination, cooperative economics, collective work, and creativity; and WHEREAS, Paul and Mary Liz Stewart are independent researchers and co-founders of Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. a public history organization dedicated to preserving local Underground Railroad history in its national and international context and its relationship with us today, highlighting the participation of African American abolitionists and freedom seekers; and WHEREAS, In 2009, Paul and Mary Liz Stewart were appointed Scholars-in-Residence at Russell Sage College for their research which has contributed to a paradigm shift in the understanding of the impact of this historic movement in the history of New York State and the Nation; and WHEREAS, For the past 18 years, this hard working couple has organized an annual public conference on the Underground Railroad, and for 20 years, they have led walking tours in both Albany and Troy, spoken to numerous groups, published numerous articles, and were instrumental in the creation of DVD educational materials; and WHEREAS, In addition, Paul and Mary Liz Stewart have raised significant funds for the preservation work of The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, an award-winning Underground Railroad site which is on the National Register of Historic Places, on the National Park Service Network to Freedom, one of 26 sites on the NYS Underground Railroad Heritage Trail, and an invited member of The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience; 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 Paul and Mary Liz Stewart upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, Inc. on September 27, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Paul and Mary Liz Stewart.