Bill Text: NY K00788 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his commitment and service to his community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-23 - adopted [K00788 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00788-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 788

BY: M. of A. Cook

        HONORING  H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah upon the
        occasion  of  his  designation  as  recipient  of  a
        Lincoln-King  Visionary Award for his commitment and
        service to his community

  WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies  and  serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

  WHEREAS,  Ibrahim  Lawson Fofanah has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence,  intelligence  and  leadership  and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is justly proud to honor H.E. Dr.
Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of a Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his commitment and service to  his
community,  to  be celebrated at the Lincoln-King Visionary Awards Gala,
"From Dream to Greatness," on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at  the  Sand
Castle in Franklin Square, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  This  auspicious  community gala is held annually to unite
the international community and to celebrate unity  in  diversity  while
recognizing community leaders for their services; and

  WHEREAS,  Ibrahim  Lawson Fofanah has been called upon to contribute
his time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and

  WHEREAS, Born in a humble village in Kono  district,  Sierra  Leone,
Ibrahim  Lawson Fofanah's father instilled in him a profound passion for
community transformation and social reform;  upon  moving  to  New  York
City,  he  not  only  achieved  remarkable  success  but  also pioneered
opportunities for Africans, earning accolades  for  his  entrepreneurial
prowess; and

  WHEREAS,  Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah stands as one of the first Africans
to  open  a  messenger  service  in  New  York   City,   providing   job
opportunities  for  thousands of Africans and immigrants arriving in the
city, a feat that earned him the prestigious  Business  Entrepreneur  of
the Year award in 1997; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2005, Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah's vision expanded further
as he opened two flagship restaurants in Harlem, Cafe 2115 and  Makoury,
which  aimed  to provide employment for immigrants arriving in the city;
for over a decade, these restaurants maintained a tradition of  offering
free   food  every  Friday,  symbolizing  his  deep  commitment  to  the
community; and

  WHEREAS, In 2017, in partnership with his  dedicated  wife,  Ibrahim
Lawson  Fofanah  founded the Lawson Fofanah Charity Foundation, a global
initiative with the aim of  making  a  positive  impact  on  communities
worldwide;  today,  the  Global  Lawson  Foundation remains dedicated to

supporting Bronx communities with  weekly  food  donations,  simplifying
access to daily sustenance for its residents; and

  WHEREAS,  A  visionary  entrepreneur,  dedicated philanthropist, and
staunch advocate for human rights, Ibrahim  Lawson  Fofanah  earned  his
Doctorate for Philosophy in Humanity in 2023; and

  WHEREAS,  As  an internationally acclaimed philanthropic strategist,
captivating keynote speaker, and esteemed ambassador for  global  peace,
Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah's wisdom has resonated with audiences on a global
scale;  his  profound  expertise  in  personal  branding  and  strategic
marketing empowers individuals and organizations to achieve new  heights
of excellence; and

  WHEREAS,  Ambassador Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah remains steadfast in his
commitment to transforming lives  and  leaving  an  enduring  legacy  of
inspirational and motivational leadership; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  the  entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ambassador  Ibrahim  Lawson  Fofanah
has stood constant in dignity, good grace, and humor; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown by an
individual for the benefit of others  which  Ambassador  Ibrahim  Lawson
Fofanah has displayed throughout his 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
Ambassador  Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah, that future generations may know and
appreciate his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds,  and  the
respect  and esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be
it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  H.E.  Dr.  Ibrahim  Lawson  Fofanah  upon  the  occasion  of  his
designation as recipient of  a  Lincoln-King  Visionary  Award  for  his
commitment and service to his community; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah.