SR60.html

Commending the Empire Board of Realtists, Inc.; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Empire Board of Realtists, Inc. (EBR), was organized in 1939 by seven black real estate brokers: W. H. Aiken, John G. Allen, O. T. Bell, Wendell Cunningham, Roger Henderson, J. R. Wilson, Jr., and N. D. Jones, who were dissatisfied with unfair housing conditions and disgruntled about the poor choice of housing available to blacks; and

WHEREAS, between 1939 and 1944, the EBR´s main focus was to provide professional standards for its members, and in 1949 it joined the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc., adopting the trade designation of "realtist"; and

WHEREAS, in the late 1950´s, EBR´s primary purpose was to educate its membership and inform the public on the concepts, complexities, and benefits of the federal Urban Renewal Program; and

WHEREAS, the EBR also served as a financial source of bail bonds for civil rights protesters arrested during the early 1960´s; and

WHEREAS, during the 1960´s, the EBR revised its constitution, continually increased membership, organized a nonprofit corporation for participation in the 221-Housing Program, gained financial status, and instituted educational programs which accentuated its efforts to inform the public about the particulars of home ownership; and

WHEREAS, through the 1970´s and 1980´s and to the present, the EBR gained tremendous momentum as an organization and its members made significant individual achievements.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Empire Board of Realtists, Inc., for its many years of outstanding service as a professional organization and honor its roster of illustrious members for their important and historical accomplishments.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Empire Board of Realtists, Inc.