K 796: Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association

 Assembly Resolution No. 796 BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which contribute to the improvement and enhancement of the quality of life in the communities they represent; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association located in Buffalo, New York to be celebrated on Friday, June 20, 2025; and WHEREAS, Hamlin Park was the first planned subdivision in the City of Buffalo with Canisius College moving to the area in 1912; the residents of Hamlin Park have always been a diverse group initially consisting of mostly German and Jewish families then growing to include African American families beginning in 1950; and WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park community is historically designated and can be found on local, state, and national registries with its historic designation rendering Hamlin Park the largest predominately African American historic community in the nation; and WHEREAS, Hamlin Park has four parks, two schools, four historic church buildings, multiple "mom & pop" stores, barber shops, daycares and a bike store; and WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association came into existence in 1965 in response to the destruction of Olmstead's parkway through Hamlin Park from Main Street to the Parade (present day MLK park); and WHEREAS, Though the organization was not able to influence the destructive projects in the 1960's, the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association has grown in the past 60 years to become recognized throughout New York State and beyond; and WHEREAS, The not-for-profit ventured into development in the latter part of the 20th century when the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association partnered with the City of Buffalo and Habitat for Humanity to save and redevelop four properties; and WHEREAS, Throughout its six decades, the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association has only had four presidents overseeing its operations: Charles Perkins 1965-1990, Margaret Strasner 1990-1995, Stephanie Barber Geter 1995-2024, and Esterphine Greene 2024-present; and WHEREAS, Named in honor of its third president who championed education, the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association looks to the future by launching the Stephanie Barber Geter Adult Learner Scholarship; and WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association strives to continue its collaborations with City Hall, Housing Court, other developers, the police department, the church communities, and its neighbors in order to ensure Hamlin Park remains a safe, stable tree lined community; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body recognizes the many contributions of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association, and wishes this worthy organization continued success in its proactive mission to benefit the communities it represents; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association upon the occasion of its 60th Anniversary; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association.