2011-J358

Honoring Howard Dodson upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

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2011-J358


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Howard Dodson upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the New York Public Library's
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Howard Dodson upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion by the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in
Black Culture located in Harlem, New York; and
WHEREAS, Howard Dodson, Chief of the Schomburg Center for Research in
Black Culture of the New York Public Library since 1984, is being
acknowledged for his long-standing tenure with the organization; he is a
specialist in African-American history and a noted lecturer, educator
and consultant; and
WHEREAS, Earning his B.S. degree in 1961 at West Chester State College
and graduating from Villanova University in 1964, Howard Dodson
completed the requirements for an ABD at the University of California at
Berkeley in 1974; he has been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Humane
Letters by the following: Widener University in 1987; Adelphi University
in May of 2004; West Chester University of Pennsylvania in June of 2005;
The City College of New York in June of 2006, and an Honorary Doctorate
of Letters from Villanova University in May of 2007; and
WHEREAS, Prior to assuming his position at the Schomburg Center,
Howard Dodson served as a consultant in the Office of the Chairman of
the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. from
1979-1982; he also served in a number of capacities from 1970-1979 at
the Institute of the Black World in Atlanta, Georgia, including Execu-
tive Director from 1974-1979; and
WHEREAS, Before joining the Institute, Mr. Dodson was a Peace Corps
volunteer in Ecuador from 1964-1966, and a national Peace Corps office
staff member from 1966-1969, including the positions of Deputy Director
of Recruiting and Director of Minority and Specialized Recruiting; and
WHEREAS, Howard Dodson has taught at California State College at
Haywood, Emory University, Shaw University, the City University of New
York, and Columbia University; under his leadership, the Schomburg
Center has developed into the world's most comprehensive public research
library devoted exclusively to documenting and interpreting African
Diaspora and African history and culture; and
WHEREAS, During Howard Dodson's tenure, the Center's collections have
more than doubled, totaling over 10 million items; users have increased
from 40,000 to over 125,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Howard Dodson completed a large capital campaign; in
1991, he completed a major physical development program which renovated
the original Schomburg Center building and created the Langston Hughes
Auditorium; more recently, he completed a historic 75th Anniversary
Capital Campaign, raising a significant amount; and
WHEREAS, Howard Dodson established a Scholars-in-Residence program,
which has provided six-month and one-year fellowships for the more than
108 scholars who have been provided for over the last twenty years; his
aggressive educational and cultural programming agenda produces and
presents 50 to 75 events annually as well as four to six exhibitions;
and

WHEREAS, Howard Dodson has published ten books as well as articles and
essays in newspapers, exhibition catalogs and professional journals; his
most recent publication is BECOMING AMERICAN: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN JOUR-
NEY (Sterling Publishing, Inc., 2009); his other publications include IN
MOTION: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MIGRATION EXPERIENCE (National Geographic
Press, 2005), JUBILEE: THE EMERGENCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE
(National Geographic Press, 2002) and THE BLACK NEW YORKERS: FOUR
HUNDRED YEARS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY (Wiley, 2000); and
WHEREAS, Howard Dodson has curated exhibitions on such diverse themes
as "Censorship and Black America" and "Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over
Slavery," and has organized and produced major performing arts events at
Carnegie Hall and the Schubert and Majestic theaters on Broadway; most
recently, he conceived, organized and directed the development of a
major website entitled In Motion: The African-American Migration Experi-
ence; and
WHEREAS, Howard Dodson served as Chair of the Federal Steering Commit-
tee on the African Burial Ground; he was a founding member of the Board
of Directors of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, serving on its
executive committee and as Chair of its Cultural Arts Committee; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Howard Dodson was director of the research study
to establish The New York State Freedom Trail and was a member of the
President's Commission on the National Museum of African American Histo-
ry and Culture; he was also a former member of the Board of Directors of
the Apollo Theater and now currently serves on the Scientific and Tech-
nical Committee of the UNESCO Slave Route Project; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to Harlem, New York City, the State of New York
and the world, Howard Dodson's distinguished record merits the recogni-
tion and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Howard Dodson upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for
Research in Black Culture; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Howard Dodson, Chief, Schomburg Center for Research in Black
Culture of the New York Public Library.

actions

  • 31 / Jan / 2011
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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