n
a recent Sunday, the large auditorium of the Brooklyn Museum of Art was
packed to the gills for the Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving and
Reaffirmation – aka the swearing-in ceremony for the 40th
District’s beloved Council Member Yvette D. Clarke.
With the Rt. Rev. Bishop Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzales serving as the
convenor, joined often by former Council Member Una Clarke, the program
unfolded beautifully. There were biblical readings from both the Old and
New Testaments, and, with Joe Roberts on organ, the entire hall sang
several hymns and enjoyed
gospel solos by Miriam Drakes and Jadine Williams. Rounding out the
entertainment were performances by the Divine Praise Mime Ministry and
five-year-old spoken word artist Autum Ashante.
Clerics representing different religions offered prayers for the
community, for the City of New York, for the United States, for peace
and for the family. The prayers were delivered in Spanish, Hebrew,
Arabic and English, and Rev. Patrick Perrin offered his in Creole.
[columns/ad_middle.htm]Several
elected officials delivered their remarks, including Senator Chuck
Schumer, Congressmen Ed Towns and Anthony Weiner as well as Brooklyn
Borough President Marty Markowitz. Each in their own way commented on
what a fine job Council Member Clarke is doing in carrying forward the
work begun by her predecessor and mother, Una Clarke.
Present as well were many colleagues from the City Council, including
Letitia James, Charles Barron, Kendall Stewart, Sara Gonzalez, Melinda
Katz, Simcha Felder and David Weprin, along with Public Advocate Betsy
Gotbaum.
The actual swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Judge Sylvia
Hinds-Radix, followed by a moving laying on of hands by the many clergy
that were present.
Then, Council Member Clarke’s brother, Leslie Clarke, Jr., introduced
her, and she delivered her "State of Our Community" address. In it
Clarke spoke of the many things she is proud to have achieved during her
first term in office and of the many things yet remaining to be done.
She assured her listeners that "I will continue to work tirelessly on
your behalf and to make sure that we get our fair share of the economic
pie."
The ceremony was followed by a reception held in the Museum’s
rotunda, during which the diners enjoyed some fine music provided by the
Gavin Blake Quartet.
