 
Assembly Resolution No. 579
 
BY: M. of A. Simotas
 
        COMMEMORATING  the  10th  Anniversary  of "Astoria
        Characters" to be celebrated on September 15, 2019
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute  to
those  illustrious  journalistic  entities  which  have  diligently  and
consistently recorded the history of their communities and brought local
news and news of the larger world to their readers; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate  the  10th  Anniversary  of  "Astoria  Characters"   to   be
celebrated  at  its Annual Astoria Characters Day on September 15, 2019;
and
 
  WHEREAS, Nancy A. Ruhling publishes a weekly blog known as  "Astoria
Characters"; and
 
  WHEREAS,  "Astoria Characters" was founded on the premise that every
individual has a unique and valuable story,  and  the  telling  of  that
story contributes to the good of a whole community; and
 
  WHEREAS,  "Astoria  Characters"  features  profiles  and  stories of
interesting and accomplished Queens residents from Astoria; and
 
  WHEREAS, Nancy A. Ruhling uses her position as a journalist to  call
attention  to  the untold stories of unrecognized members of the Astoria
community in  order  to  edify  and  expand  the  worldview  of  Astoria
residents; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  borough  of Queens and, within it the neighborhood of
Astoria, are some of the most racially and ethnically diverse  areas  in
the country; and
 
  WHEREAS,   "Astoria  Characters"  seeks  to  amplify  these  diverse
narratives and give voices to communities that do not traditionally have
one; and
 
  WHEREAS, The stories told in the "Astoria Characters" profiles serve
to strengthen the sense of community in Astoria, overcoming personal and
cultural  barriers  to  draw  individuals  into  conversation  with  one
another; and
 
  WHEREAS, The annual celebration of Astoria Characters Day honors the
wonderful  residents of Astoria and serves as an opportunity for Astoria
residents to connect and learn about one another; and
 
  WHEREAS, The HuffPost ran the column from 2009 to 2018, and the Long
Island  City/Astoria  Journal  has  featured  the  "Astoria  Characters"
profiles each week since 2016 due to their importance; and
 
  WHEREAS,  As  the  "Astoria  Characters"  moves  into the future, it
carries with it the legacy of a distinguished journalistic  history  and
an outstanding record of growth and achievement; now, therefore, be it
 
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate  the  10th  Anniversary  of  "Astoria  Characters"   to   be
celebrated  at  its Annual Astoria Characters Day on September 15, 2019;
and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Nancy A. Ruhling.
Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Astoria Characters

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