New York J 5095: Honoring Frank B. Mesiah posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Bill Text

Senate Resolution No. 5095
Senator KENNEDYBY:
Frank B. Mesiah posthumously upon theHONORING
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate
Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,WHEREAS,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Frank B.WHEREAS,
Mesiah posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and
The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established byWHEREAS,
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
Born on July 18, 1928, Frank B. Mesiah grew up on the WestWHEREAS,
Side of Buffalo and attended School 77; he went on to graduate from
Grover Cleveland High School in 1946, where he was a star football
player; and
Frank B. Mesiah was a laborer at Bethlehem Steel inWHEREAS,
Lackawanna, as well as a janitor and machine operator in the Chevrolet
engine plant in Tonawanda; and
On November 21, 1950, Frank B. Mesiah joined the UnitedWHEREAS,
States Army and was stationed at the Fort Hood Army Base in Texas where
he taught chemical warfare and ballistics; he attained the rank of
Sergeant First Class before being honorably discharged on August 29,
1953; and
Upon the completion of his military service, Frank B.WHEREAS,
Mesiah served as a Buffalo Police Patrolman from 1954 to 1967; he was
only the 13th African-American to serve with the Buffalo Police
Department; and
During his tenure, while working undercover on a policeWHEREAS,
assignment, Frank B. Mesiah attended a talk by Malcolm X; listening to
that speech encouraged him to step to the forefront of fighting racial
discrimination in Buffalo; and
Frank B. Mesiah attended Buffalo State Teachers College,WHEREAS,
graduating in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and
in 1969 with a master's degree in administration and supervision; and
While working as a teacher, Frank B. Mesiah joined withWHEREAS,

other black and white residents to protest the de facto segregation of
Buffalo's Public Schools; his dedication led to the integration of
Buffalo schools in 1976; and
Throughout his illustrious career in education, Frank B.WHEREAS,
Mesiah served as the Media Coordinator and Assistant Director of School
Integration for Buffalo schools; he was also a part time instructor at
both Canisius College and Cornell University Buffalo Labor Studies
Program, where he taught courses on managing diversity, sexual
harassment prevention, and other subjects; and
This extraordinary man went on to become an educationalWHEREAS,
planner with Erie 1 BOCES before taking a position handling
discrimination cases with the State Department of Labor, a role he
served for 20 years; and
Frank B. Mesiah also advocated for the concerns of theWHEREAS,
black community from many platforms, most prominently as President of
the Black Educators Association and President of the Buffalo Branch
NAACP from 1996 to 2016; and
Furthermore, he was instrumental in opening Buffalo policeWHEREAS,
and firefighter positions to minorities, including African-Americans,
women and other groups; and
A true asset to society, Frank B. Mesiah served on thenWHEREAS,
Governor Mario Cuomo's Advisory Committee on Black Affairs, and the
Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority; and
In addition, he was a member of the Board of Directors ofWHEREAS,
the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Western
New York Public Broadcasting Corporation, Vice President of BUILD,
Secretary of the Black Leadership Forum, Secretary of the Afro American
Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Vice President of
Everywomen's Opportunity Center, and Project Director of the Black
American Museum & Cultural Center in Niagara Falls; and
Frank B. Mesiah was the proud recipient of numerous awardsWHEREAS,
and accolades, including the NAACP Medgar Evers Award, Evans-Young Urban
League Award, SUNY Buffalo State's Outstanding Alumni Award, Erie County
Bar Association's Justice Award, YMCA Greater Buffalo Award, New York
State Employees Brotherhood Award, and a 1986 Citizen ofBuffalo News
the Year; and
Frank B. Mesiah passed away on Friday, April 27, 2018, atWHEREAS,
the age of 89; he is survived by three daughters, Leza, Nicolette and
Francesca; and a brother, Clarence; now, therefore, be it
That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations toRESOLVED,
honor Frank B. Mesiah posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
That a copy of this Res