K 682: Mourning the death of Ernestine R. Green, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

 Assembly Resolution No. 682 BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes MOURNING the death of Ernestine R. Green, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to mourn the death of Ernestine R. Green, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and WHEREAS, Ernestine R. Green distinguished herself in her profession and by her dedication and contribution to the welfare of her community, State, and Nation; and WHEREAS, Ernestine R. Green, of Orchard Park, New York, died on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the age of 87; and WHEREAS, Ernestine R. Green, one of seven girls, was born to Eugene and Bertha Riddick in Queens, New York, on March 27, 1938; in 1955, she relocated to Buffalo to attend Buffalo State Teachers College where she graduated in 1959; and WHEREAS, Settling in Long Island, Ernestine R. Green was unable to work as a teacher in the public school system because minority teachers were not welcome at that time; instead, she served in social work for the Nassau County Department of Welfare; in 1960, she returned to Buffalo and married Justice Samuel L. Green; and WHEREAS, Ernestine R. Green was the first woman to be appointed to Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) by the former Governor Hugh Carey in 1980, and she was reappointed by former Governor Mario Cuomo in 1987; and WHEREAS, While at NFTA, Ernestine R. Green initiated and chaired the Minority Task Force which helps local minority businesses work with NFTA to secure contracts; additionally, she initiated and chaired the Art Selection Committee of NFTA; $1.5 million of public art, represented by all members of the community, was placed in the seven Metro stations; and WHEREAS, Some of Ernestine R. Green's numerous affiliations include: Commissioner and Vice Chair of Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority; Trustee of the Statler Foundation; Founder and Chair of Renaissance Women; Buffalo Urban League; Buffalo Chapter NAACP; Trustee of the Buffalo State College Foundation; Founder of the Black Educators Association; and Chair of the Educational Committee of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and WHEREAS, Ernestine R. Green and her husband, Samuel, were blessed with a daughter, Beth Ann, who is a practicing attorney in Forest Hills, New York; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated individuals who devote their lives to the betterment of their communities are worthy and due praise for their commitment and endeavors; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Ernestine R. Green leaves a legacy which will endure the passage of time and remain a memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Ernestine R. Green, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Ernestine R. Green.