LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Gregory Jackson, distin-
guished Brownsville citizen and devoted member of the Brooklyn community

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Gregory Jackson, noting the significance of
his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Gregory "Greg" Jackson of Brownsville, in Brooklyn, New York,
died on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the age of 59; and
WHEREAS, Born on August 2, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York, Gregory Jack-
son attended Tilden High School in Brooklyn, and then Guilford College;
and
WHEREAS, In 1974, he was drafted into the NBA as the 14th pick in the
fifth round by the New York Knicks and had his debut on October 17,
1974; and
WHEREAS, Gregory Jackson distinguished himself by his sincere dedi-
cation and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Known as "Jocko" to his many friends, Gregory Jackson was a
community institution in Brownsville, the neighborhood's most avid cham-
pion, and its residents' most loyal and passionate advocate; and
WHEREAS, The unofficial "Mayor of Brownsville," the ambassador of
optimism, the resident historian, and the go-to person for positive
change in the neighborhood, Gregory Jackson's leadership roles at the
Brownsville Recreation Center and at Common Ground's Brownsville Part-
nership, were only the most formal means by which he continually
promoted a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous community; and
WHEREAS, Gregory Jackson was the founder of "Old Timers," an annual
celebration of Brownsville that has grown to a multi-week long event,
bringing together thousands in the spirit of community; and
WHEREAS, Gregory Jackson never stopped working on behalf of his fellow
neighbors who knew they could reach out to him for help at any time, and
he would do whatever it took to find a solution to the problem at hand;
and
WHEREAS, Gregory Jackson grew up in and raised a family of nine chil-
dren in Brownsville, New York; he was also helping to raise his grand-
children, as well as the many young people in the neighborhood he
"adopted"; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Gregory Jackson became the Director of the Browns-
ville Recreation Center (BRC), transforming a neglected Parks and Recre-
ation site into a thriving community center serving residents of every
age and background; it has been recognized time and again as among the
City's best and highest performing recreation centers as well as a
nationally and internationally recognized model of positive change in a
community; and
WHEREAS, At the Brownsville Partnership, Gregory Jackson connected a
wide array of community stakeholders, parents, teachers, school adminis-
trators, elected officials, police officers and public housing staff in
support of Common Ground's efforts to enhance public security, stabilize
struggling families, and increase educational and economic opportu-
nities; and
WHEREAS, On a person-to-person level, Gregory Jackson routinely
mentored young people and problem solved for families, seniors and
others facing adversity; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man truly established a legacy of education
through sports; he practiced this philosophy on a daily basis as the
Board Chairman of the Reeves Drakeford Brownsville Jets, an organization
that began as a youth basketball team in 1965, and blossomed into an
academic, neighborhood empowerment and athletic institution; and

WHEREAS, The Reeves Drakeford Brownsville Jets boasts such notable
alumni as Dr. Richard Kennedy of the World Bank, New York State Assembly
member Darryl Towns, actor Michael Rapaport as well as 26 board of
education principals and teachers, and 17 police officers; and
WHEREAS, Under his luminous mentorship and example of dedicated
service along with hard work, the Jets has been home to such famous
athletes as boxer Eddie Mustafa Muhammed, Geoff Huston, Dwayne Pearl
Washington and Wayne Freeman; and
WHEREAS, Gregory Jackson is survived by his wife, Carmen, and nine
children; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Gregory Jackson leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Gregory Jackson, distinguished Brownsville citizen
and devoted member of the Brooklyn community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Gregory Jackson.