Assembly Resolution No. 796
BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes
COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the Hamlin
Park Community and Taxpayers Association
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which contribute to the improvement
and enhancement of the quality of life in the communities they
represent; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Hamlin Park Community and
Taxpayers Association located in Buffalo, New York to be celebrated on
Friday, June 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Hamlin Park was the first planned subdivision in the City
of Buffalo with Canisius College moving to the area in 1912; the
residents of Hamlin Park have always been a diverse group initially
consisting of mostly German and Jewish families then growing to include
African American families beginning in 1950; and
WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park community is historically designated and
can be found on local, state, and national registries with its historic
designation rendering Hamlin Park the largest predominately African
American historic community in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Hamlin Park has four parks, two schools, four historic
church buildings, multiple "mom & pop" stores, barber shops, daycares
and a bike store; and
WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association came
into existence in 1965 in response to the destruction of Olmstead's
parkway through Hamlin Park from Main Street to the Parade (present day
MLK park); and
WHEREAS, Though the organization was not able to influence the
destructive projects in the 1960's, the Hamlin Park Community and
Taxpayers Association has grown in the past 60 years to become
recognized throughout New York State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, The not-for-profit ventured into development in the latter
part of the 20th century when the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers
Association partnered with the City of Buffalo and Habitat for Humanity
to save and redevelop four properties; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its six decades, the Hamlin Park Community and
Taxpayers Association has only had four presidents overseeing its
operations: Charles Perkins 1965-1990, Margaret Strasner 1990-1995,
Stephanie Barber Geter 1995-2024, and Esterphine Greene 2024-present;
and
WHEREAS, Named in honor of its third president who championed
education, the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association looks to
the future by launching the Stephanie Barber Geter Adult Learner
Scholarship; and
WHEREAS, The Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association strives
to continue its collaborations with City Hall, Housing Court, other
developers, the police department, the church communities, and its
neighbors in order to ensure Hamlin Park remains a safe, stable tree
lined community; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
recognizes the many contributions of the Hamlin Park Community and
Taxpayers Association, and wishes this worthy organization continued
success in its proactive mission to benefit the communities it
represents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association upon the
occasion of its 60th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association.
