LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. James R. Dumpson, a
pioneer in social work, social health and social justice

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, Dr. James Dumpson of New York City died on Monday, November
5, 2012, at the age of 103; and
WHEREAS, James Dumpson was born on April 5, 1909, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; he was the first of five children born to James and Edyth
Dumpson; he was raised in Philadelphia where he attended The Quaker
School, Octavius Catto and West Philadelphia High School for Boys; and
WHEREAS, In 1932, James Dumpson graduated from Cheyney Normal School
(College) before going on to Temple University and earning graduate
degrees from other universities around the world; he was considered one
of the oldest living graduates of Cheyney University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Dumpson's career in the health and human services
as a public servant, educator, administrator, social activist, advocate,
humanitarian and scholar spanned for more than half a century; his
influence on public policy development for the health and human services
has been felt across many policy domains at the international, national
and local level; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Dumpson began his career as a caseworker for the
Philadelphia Department of Public Welfare; he moved to New York in the
late 1930s where he served the City for more than 60 years; and
WHEREAS, Obtaining a number of history-making achievements throughout
his lengthy career, Dr. James Dumpson served as the United Nations
advisor/chief of training in social welfare to the government of Pakis-
tan from 1953-1954; in 1959, he was named Commissioner of Welfare for
the City of New York, becoming the only African American welfare commis-
sioner in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, President John F. Kennedy appointed Dr. James Dump-
son to the Commission on Narcotics and Drug Abuse; in 1976, he was named
Dean of Fordham University's School of Social Work, becoming the first
black dean of a nonblack school of social work; Fordham University later
named an endowed academic chair in his honor; and
WHEREAS, An advocate and defender of the poor, Dr. James Dumpson was
the recipient of numerous awards, including: the New York City Black
Agency Executives Lifetime Achievement Award; the New York City Chapter
National Association of Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award and
the State Of New York Legislative Resolution "Spirit of Life" Award; in
2009, the New York City Department of Human Service dedicated and named
its conference hall, the "Dr. James R. Dumpson Conference Hall"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Dumpson distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Dumpson's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Dumpson is survived by his wife, Goldie, daughter,
Jeree, brother, Reverend Roland Dumpson, and his sister, Doris D. Grun-
dy; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Dr. James Dumpson leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of lime and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. James R. Dumpson, a pioneer in social work,
social health and social justice; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. James Dumpson.