Honor Ethical Culture Society

Senate Resolution No. 1147 BY: Senator HOYLMAN-SIGAL HONORING the New York Society for Ethical Culture and commemorating its 150th year as a New York institution that has promoted social justice and improvement in the lives of New Yorkers WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those notable citizens and organizations of our State that have taken extraordinary steps to support and inspire their fellow citizens; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend and honor the New York Society for Ethical Culture (the "Society") for its 150 years as an important New York institution; and WHEREAS, On May 15, 1876, Dr. Felix Adler founded the Society in New York City; the organization was a community of people who believed that ethics and the mission to live one's life guided by the highest ethical principles were not a by-product of religion but the essence of religion, infusing the spiritual imperative to live one's life and cultivate one's relationships ethically; and WHEREAS, The Society and its members have pursued projects and programs that enhanced the lives of New Yorkers, including founding the Madison House, University House, and Hudson Guild settlement houses, founding Blythedale Children's Hospital, creating the first "visiting nurse" program, participating in the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Urban League, founding the Workingman's Free School, which evolved into the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and the Child Study Association and led to laws that barred child labor, and aiding in the founding of the National Civil Liberties Bureau which was the forerunner of the ACLU; and WHEREAS, The Society promoted rights and opportunities for all New Yorkers through its activities, promoting peace, women's rights, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and labor organization and taking a stand against nuclear arms proliferation and climate crisis; and WHEREAS, The Society helped persons struggling with adversity through its Maria Fridman Homeless Women's Shelter, supervised parental visitation program, televisiting service for children with incarcerated parents, criminal justice reform, food insecurity initiatives, and arts and education programs for children in its neighboring public housing project; and WHEREAS, For six generations of Ethical Humanists, the Society's Meeting House has served as Manhattan's Upper West Side center for community forums, climate conferences, music, dance, and theater performances, town halls, and panel discussions to highlight public issues of current importance; and WHEREAS, The Society has recognized numerous local citizens with honors for their public service and has been equally recognized and honored over the years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor the New York Society for Ethical Culture on its 150 years of service to our communities; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the New York Society for Ethical Culture.