Honor Brooklyn Black History Event

Senate Resolution No. 2581 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its 2020 Black History Celebration on February 4, 2020 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize important events which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of our great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its 2020 Black History Celebration on February 4, 2020, to be held at the Billie Holiday Theatre at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration, Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will be saluting the work of outstanding African American business and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the great Borough of Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, The 2020 Black History Celebration will pay special tribute to the co-Founders of the MWBE Committee, Samuel Dunstan from National Allotment Insurance Agency, and Bill Howell from Howell Industries; and WHEREAS, In addition, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will name an annual award, the Business Excellence Award, in Samuel Dunstan's name; other award recipients include Dr. Roy Hastick of the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Lillian Bowman of Lillian's Professional Services; and WHEREAS, Black History Month, previously known as Negro History Week, was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and was first celebrated on

February 1, 1926; since 1976, it has become a nationally recognized month-long celebration, held each year during the month of February to acknowledge and pay tribute to African-Americans neglected by both society and the history books; and WHEREAS, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and victories of African-Americans throughout our country's history and to recognize their numerous valuable contributions to the protection of our democratic society in war and in peace; 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 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 commend the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its 2020 Black History Celebration on February 4, 2020; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.