New York J 441: Mourning the death of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

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J00441 Summary:

BILL NOJ00441 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORSTEWART-COUSINS

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COSPNSRCLEARE, ADDABBO, ASHBY, BAILEY, BASKIN, BORRELLO, BRISPORT, BROUK, BYNOE, CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK,
 CHAN, COMRIE, COONEY, FAHY, FELDER, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, GIANARIS, GONZALEZ, GOUNARDES, GRIFFO,
 HARCKHAM, HELMING, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, JACKSON, KAVANAGH, KRUEGER, LANZA, LIU, MARTINEZ,
 MARTINS, MATTERA, MAY, MAYER, MURRAY, MYRIE, OBERACKER, O'MARA, ORTT, PALUMBO, PARKER, PERSAUD,
 RAMOS, RHOADS, RIVERA, ROLISON, RYAN C, RYAN S, SALAZAR, SANDERS, SCARCELLA-SPANTON, SEPULVEDA,
 SERRANO, SKOUFIS, STAVISKY, STEC, TEDISCO, WALCZYK, WEBB, WEBER, WEIK

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J00441 Actions:

BILL NOJ00441 

&nbsp

03/04/2025REFERRED TO FINANCE

Go to topJ00441 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ00441 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ00441 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 441

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

 MOURNING the death of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes,
 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 endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and

 WHEREAS, The members of this Legislative Body are deeply saddened by
the passing of Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes on March 1, 2025, at the age of 92,
and wish to express their heartfelt condolences to her family, friends,
colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel Dukes was a trailblazing civil rights leader, a
tireless advocate for racial and social justice, and a champion for
equality, dedicating her life to uplifting marginalized communities and
fighting for the rights of all people; and

 WHEREAS, Born in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 17, 1932, to parents
Alice and Edward Dukes, Hazel Dukes demonstrated an early passion for
education and community service, attending Alabama State Teachers
College before pursuing studies in Business Administration at Nassau
Community College and later earning a bachelor's degree from Adelphi
University in 1978; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel Dukes made history in 1966 as the first African
American to work at the Nassau County Attorney's Office, where she
worked to promote equal access to justice and public resources; and

 WHEREAS, She was instrumental in the implementation of President
Lyndon B. Johnson's "Head Start" program, which provided crucial early
childhood education to underserved communities and helped countless
children and families achieve better futures; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel Dukes held numerous leadership roles throughout
her lifetime, including serving as the national president of the NAACP
from 1989 to 1992, during which time she guided the organization through
critical years of advocacy and reform, and later serving for more than
four decades as president of the NAACP New York State Conference; and

 WHEREAS, She was a fearless advocate for voting rights, fair
housing, economic opportunity, and education, and in 1972, she played a
historic role by seconding the presidential nomination of Shirley
Chisholm, the first Black woman to seek a major party's nomination for
President of the United States; and

 WHEREAS, Her advocacy continued into the 21st century, influencing
President Joe Biden's decision to select a Black woman as his running
mate in 2020, and in 2023, she was awarded the NAACP's highest honor,
the Spingarn Medal, presented by former Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton in recognition of her extraordinary contributions; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel Dukes also led efforts in public administration,
serving as president of the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation
and later founding Hazel N. Dukes & Associates, a consulting firm
specializing in public policy, health, and diversity; and

 WHEREAS, She remained a steadfast leader in the NAACP National Board
of Directors and countless other civic organizations, ensuring that
future generations continued the fight for justice and equality; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel Dukes' commitment to education was further
exemplified by her service as a trustee of the State University of New
Y