Senate Resolution No. 859 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honoree WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala on Sunday, April 30, 2023; and WHEREAS, This year's honoree is Grant Valentine, Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of Chestnut Ridge, New York, and the former Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for New York State Parole; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Concord Law School and Queens College, Grant Valentine worked for over 32 years in both criminal and juvenile justice, administration, budgeting, evidence-based management, quality assurance and training; in 2012, he officially retired as the Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning for New York State Parole; and WHEREAS, A three-term Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of Chestnut Ridge, New York, Grant Valentine has been actively involved with numerous organizations including Rockland Community College, Rockland County Youth Bureau, Chestnut Ridge Planning Board, Rockland County District Attorney's Office, Rockland County Sheriff's Office, Rockland County Department of Health School Coalition, Strategic Planning for the East Ramapo Central School District of Rockland County, President Obama My Brother's Keeper, Martin Luther King Oratory Contest, Boys and Girls Club of America Rockland County Steering Committee, Rockland County Branch of the American Association of University Women, the Edmund and Susan Gordon Partnership Institute at CEJJES, African Parade committee of Rockland County, Prince Hall Masons of Tappan Zee Lodge of Rockland County, Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Poinsettia Chapter Eastern Stars, New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative for Rockland County and the Rockland Sheriff's Office, 9th Judicial District committee that covers Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties on jury reform, and the New York State Cannabis Association of Minorities and Women Professionals, as well as the Westchester Rockland Cannabis Business Alliance; and WHEREAS, Grant Valentine was a 2012 finalist for the White House Fellow program and was the recipient of numerous other accolades for his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community including the 2012 African American Chamber of Commerce for Westchester/Rockland Award, the 2013 Education Excellence Award for the Northeast Region by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the 2016 Rockland County Award for Black History Month, the 2017 honoree and award recipient from the Tender Steps Organization of New York, 2019 Unsung Hero Award for Rockland County, 2019 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Tau Gamma Zeta Chapter Recognition Honor, 2020 Black History Award by the East Ramapo Central School District, and the 2022 NAACP Nyack Freedom Award; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Linda, their four children, Grant III, Janeen, Vance, and Nicole, and six grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Grant Valentine has displayed throughout his life; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center upon the occasion of hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Benefit Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's honoree; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center and to Grant Valentine.