NY J01663

Senate Resolution honoring Black history trailblazers in Cayuga and Onondaga Counties in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month in February 2026

Recognizes Cayuga County figures including Harriet Tubman-Davis (Underground Railroad conductor, Civil War spy), Dr. Jerome H. "Brud" Holland (first Black person on NYSE board, U.S. Ambassador to Sweden), and Marcellus "Ben" White (possibly first Black mayor in New York State)

Honors Onondaga County pioneers such as Isaac Wales (first Black Syracuse resident, Underground Railroad stationmaster), Sarah Loguen Fraser (first Black doctor from Syracuse University College of Medicine), and William Herbert Johnson (first African-American Syracuse Law graduate)

Acknowledges numerous "firsts" in public service including Willie B. Gilbert (first African American Syracuse police officer), Marjorie Carter (first Black teacher in Syracuse schools), and Van B. Robinson (first Black Syracuse Common Council president, NAACP chapter founder)

Recognizes contemporary trailblazers including Samuel D. Roberts (first Black Onondaga County representative in State Assembly), Michael Monds (first Black Syracuse Fire Chief), and Bea Gonzales (first Black Hispanic citywide officeholder in Syracuse)