Honor Norman Fairweather's Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 3022 BY: Senator COMRIE CONGRATULATING Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York, to be celebrated with a Party in his honor on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather began his illustrious career as the Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica on April 1, 1995; and WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather spent the first two years in this esteemed position completing the preparation of financials for the period of 1991 to 1994, automating the information system to include the financial records for all five First Church Funds, preparing an accounting policies and procedures manual ensuring the implementation of FASB technical standards, and preparing an employee policies and procedures handbook; and WHEREAS, In addition, he created templates to track and manage the commercial properties of the church and the investment of the portfolios with particular attention to restricted gifts, some dated as far back as the 1800s; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of the renovation of the Sanctuary in

1996, and as a member of the Finance/Property Committee, Norman Fairweather was a vital component of the three-year capital campaign to raise enough funds to cover the cost of the renovation; and WHEREAS, In 2002, under the able leadership of Norman Fairweather, First Presbyterian Church committed itself as a purpose driven organization, changing the accounting system and internal reporting system and classifying expenditures into six major categories: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Mission and Leadership; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Norman Fairweather was a member of the team which created the First Jamaica Community & Urban Development Corp where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board; he also served as a leader in Empowered Queens United for Action, and Leadership and Queens Power; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, he actively participated in the purchasing of the site for the Tree of Life Center in 2006, and serves as a member of the development team responsible for the construction of 174 units of residential housing, as well as 24,000 square feet of health and community services; and WHEREAS, A true asset to his church and the community-at-large, Norman Fairweather became a lay minister and the lead of the Older Adults Ministry; he was also instrumental in securing funds for the Wellness Ministry and the monitoring of neighbors and members with diabetes and hypertension; and WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather also represented the First Presbyterian Church as Treasurer of the Jamaica Center Improvement Association and as a member of Jamaica Community Partnership Program's Strategic Planning Committee, as well as a member of Communities Together for Health Equity (CTHE), a collective Vision for CBO Partnership in the New York State Healthcare Delivery System; and WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, Norman Fairweather rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to First Presbyterian Church, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Norman Fairweather.