J 267: Honoring Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 267 BY: Senator PARKER HONORING Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those individuals and organizations which devote their purposeful energies to improve the dignity and quality of life of those they serve, preserve their heritage, and foster pride among them; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025; and WHEREAS, In 2006, the Young, Gifted, & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards were established by Carl Gray as a platform to spotlight and celebrate everyday individuals who serve as positive role models, inspiring their peers through their accomplishments, perseverance, and contributions; and WHEREAS, Carl Gray's vision for the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards has remained steadfast in ensuring recognition is given to those whose contributions, though not always highlighted in mainstream media, have a profound and lasting influence within their fields and society; and WHEREAS, Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins is a native of Brooklyn, New York, educated in the Catholic and New York City school systems; she furthered her studies at the City University of New York and received her education in mortuary science at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service; since 1979, she has been a Funeral Director licensed in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, In 1984, Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins established her own funeral business, as Funeral Director and Manager, and has enjoyed every day of her service to her community; with her throughout the years have been her husband of 40 years, Rene E. Hawkins, five children, 23 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Active in her community, Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins has been a member of many organizations, including the Rotary Club, New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA), National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc. (NFDMA) where she served as an officer, and New York State Department of Health Bureau of Funeral Directing Advisory Board where she served as President for approximately 10 years; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individuals and organizations, which give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York, profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to the exercise of freedom; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Thelma L. Greaves-Hawkins.