Bill Text: NY J02917 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Rahwa Ghirmatzion upon the occasion of stepping down as Executive Director of PUSH Buffalo after many years of distinguished service to this vital organization

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-12-22 - ADOPTED [J02917 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02917-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2917

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        CONGRATULATING Rahwa Ghirmatzion upon the occasion
        of  stepping  down  as  Executive  Director  of PUSH
        Buffalo after many years of distinguished service to
        this vital organization

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
honor  those  distinguished  citizens who would devote their life's work
and purpose to community service, contributing to  the  welfare  of  the
citizens of their communities and this great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern  and  in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate  Rahwa  Ghirmatzion  upon  the occasion of stepping down as
Executive Director of PUSH Buffalo after  many  years  of  distinguished
service to this vital organization; and

  WHEREAS,   Within   every   community,  there  are  inevitably  some
individuals who, by virtue of  their  energy,  vision,  and  dedication,
command  the  greatest  respect  among their friends and colleagues, and
within the community at large; Rahwa Ghirmatzion is one such individual;
and

  WHEREAS, Born in Asmera, Eritrea in the middle of a civil war, Rahwa
Ghirmatzion came to Western New York at the age of eight by way of Sudan
as a refugee; she was educated in Buffalo Public Schools before studying
English Literature and Economics at the University at Buffalo where  she
became  painstakingly  aware  of the disparities and inequalities within
the education system and was compelled to be a part of a change; and

  WHEREAS, In 2018, Rahwa Ghirmatzion  became  Executive  Director  of
People United for Sustainable Housing, Inc., also known as PUSH Buffalo,
a  community  organization which works at the grassroots level to create
and implement a comprehensive revitalization  plan  for  Buffalo's  West
Side,  with  more than 40 million dollars invested in affordable housing
rehabilitation, weatherization, and green infrastructure; and

  WHEREAS,  In  this  capacity,   Rahwa   Ghirmatzion   oversees   the
organization's   programs   and   day-to-day   operations,   which  have
substantially  grown   under   her   leadership   to   include   housing
construction,  solar  installation, job training, and a youth center, as
well as outreach and advocacy  on  public  policy  issues  facing  urban
communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  PUSH  Buffalo  employs  40  people  and  has
renovated more than 100 high quality homes over the  past  seven  years;
and

  WHEREAS,  A  lifelong learner with a passion for social justice, for
more  than  15  years  Rahwa  Ghirmatzion  has  worked  with   countless
community-based  organizations throughout Western New York which promote
community development across sectors; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to her work at PUSH Buffalo, Rahwa  Ghirmatzion
serves  as  Executive  Director  of  Ujima Company, Inc., a multi-ethnic
professional theater company whose primary purpose is the  preservation,
perpetuation, and performance of African American theater; she is also a
founding board member of the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG); and

  WHEREAS,  With  a steadfast and unwavering commitment to underserved
and underrepresented communities, Rahwa Ghirmatzion has given tirelessly
of her time and energies to ensure that alternative  voices  are  heard,
fostered  and  encouraged  to  participate  in  building  a  more  just,
equitable and civically engaged community; and

  WHEREAS, Widely respected and greatly admired  for  her  unremitting
dedication  and prolific contributions, Rahwa Ghirmatzion has been cited
on a number  of  occasions  for  her  distinguished  community  service,
including the 2017 Community Commitment Award from VOICE Buffalo and the
2013  Community Leaders Arts Award from the National Federation for Just
Communities; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit  of  others  which  Rahwa  Ghirmatzion has
displayed throughout her life; and

  WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this  Legislative  Body
to  honor  and  support  those  individuals  who  have  displayed  their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the  intent
of  this  Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Rahwa Ghirmatzion, that future generations may know and  appreciate  her
admirable  character,  her  many  benevolent  deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which she is held by her peers; and

  WHEREAS, It is  the  custom  of  this  Legislative  Body  that  when
individuals  of  such  noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the  citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Rahwa Ghirmatzion upon the occasion  of  stepping  down  as
Executive  Director  of  PUSH  Buffalo after many years of distinguished
service to this vital organization; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Rahwa Ghirmatzion.