Honor Rome NAACP Dinner

Assembly Resolution No. 591 BY: M. of A. Buttenschon COMMENDING the Rome Branch of the NAACP upon the occasion of hosting its 21st Annual Freedom Dinner on October 12, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those enduring organizations which devote their purposeful energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of those they serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering pride among them; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Rome Branch of the NAACP upon the occasion of hosting its 21st Annual Freedom Dinner on Saturday, October 12, 2019; and WHEREAS, The oldest and largest civil rights organization, the NAACP was founded in 1909, in New York City by a group of black and white citizens committed to improving the quality of life for African-Americans; and WHEREAS, Among the early leaders of the NAACP was W.E.B. DuBois, who helped establish the Niagara Movement in 1905; other early members included Ida B. Wells, Archibald Grimke, Henry Moskowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard and William English Walling; and WHEREAS, Today, the NAACP diligently works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination; it has over

500,000 members, 1,700 branch chapters and 450 college and youth chapters; and WHEREAS, The Rome Branch was founded in 1972, and its first President was Roy Goodman; throughout its 47 year history, this vital organization has provided its community with numerous activities such as movie nights, children's reading programs, high school senior night, and Martin Luther King Jr. events; and WHEREAS, Staying true to its mission to fight for the equality of all citizens, this vital organization has denounced KKK activity in Rome, worked with the police force to undergo diversity training, provided scholarships to high school students planning to attend college, and strived to ensure all children have access to education; 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 the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Rome Branch of the NAACP upon the occasion of hosting its 21st Annual Freedom Dinner on October 12, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Rome Branch of the NAACP.