Senate Resolution No. 400 BY: Senator PARKER HONORING Sonia Bell, M.D. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of an Entrepreneurial Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives of service to their community and their profession; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sonia Bell, M.D. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of an Entrepreneurial Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program to be celebrated at the 18th Anniversary of the Young, Gifted & Black Awards Program on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Terrace On The Park in Queens, New York; and WHEREAS, Established in 2006 by President/CEO of the NetLinkz Group, Inc., Carl O. Gray, the Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards Program recognizes individuals who continue to reach levels of great success through hard work and determination, proving to be inspiring role models to their community and peers; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program acknowledges the talent, ambition, and achievements of African American and Caribbean professionals towards their continued pursuit of success; and WHEREAS, The Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program was launched in honor of Black History Month and shines a light on such accomplished individuals as Sonia Bell, who truly exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit; and WHEREAS, Dr. Sonia Bell is a Stanford Hospital and Clinics Residency Trained-Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Sports Medicine Physician; she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley in physiology and anatomy and received her medical doctorate degree from the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine; and WHEREAS, After working as a physiatrist for six years, Dr. Sonia Bell obtained her fellowship training in Pain Medicine and Interventional Spine from Pain & Rehabilitation Consultants Medical Group; after 25 years in sports medicine, she is well-known for her experience in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries and in the performance enhancement of world class and professional athletes; and WHEREAS, Dr. Sonia Bell has also served as a keynote speaker for various medical conferences and has been a volunteer for numerous organizations; and WHEREAS, This award recipient exemplifies the best of her community, by virtue of her energy, vision, and dedication, commanding the greatest respect among her friends and colleagues, and within the community at large; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend individuals of outstanding character, who have shown initiative and commitment toward constantly pursuing higher goals for themselves, and acting as role models of leadership to be emulated by both peers and young people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Sonia Bell, M.D. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of an Entrepreneurial Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Sonia Bell, M.D.