County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on
Honoring

Persell McDowell

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Deacon Persell McDowell is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, after his service he
moved to Albany where he was a part of the civil rights activist group, The
Brothers during the 1970s, he then worked as a carpenter and later at Amtrak; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Persell McDowell as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on
Honoring

Herbert H. McLaughlin

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Herbert H. McLaughlin worked for the New York State Department of Corrections
for 32 years at various correctional facilities, his contributions have helped create
safer and more humane environments at the facilities where he has worked, under his
leadership our correctional facilities have benefitted; and

Whereas,

he has been an active member of his community holding positions such as President
of the Arbor Hill Community Center Board, President of Sheridan Hollow, a board
member of the Land Trust Organization which provides housing to low-income
families, and was ordained a Minister of the Gospel at Empire Christian Center in
2015; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Herbert H. McLaughlin as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on

Honoring

John Sanders

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

John Sanders has blessed many churches in the community with his music, he began
playing the organ at age 18, playing for the community at jazz festivals, MLK
celebrations, and was featured on Wilborn Temples Such Joy album; and

Whereas,

John has also worked as a N.Y.S. Security Officer for over 10 years and has been a
positive role model for all aspiring musicians; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

John Sanders as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on

Honoring

Arthur Lee Butler

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Arthur Lee Butler has served the community for over 15 years, he has co-founded the
Capital District African American Coalition on AIDS and is a Pastor at Full Liberty
Fellowship; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Arthur Lee Butler as a

2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on

Honoring

Brian Hines

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Brian Hines is the founder of the Dunkin Hines Basketball Classic and the cofounder of the Summer Time Live Basketball Tournament which was the first major
basketball tournament held in New York State with teams coming to play from all
over the country; and

Whereas,

he has served as a youth mentor and has shown his graciousness to the community by
giving out basketballs to children in the community; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Brian Hines as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy

County of Albany, New York

County Executive
Office of the Albany
County
Executive
Daniel P. McCoy

Proclamati
on

Honoring

Craig A. Moore

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Craig A. Moore is a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served for 15 years;
and

Whereas,

after his service, he founded Team Albany 360 in 2007, a non-profit charitable
organization which offers a basketball and mentoring program that has helped
Albany youth by providing them with educational support in order to better prepare
them for their futures; and

Whereas,

the program successfully combines athletics with academics and has benefitted
children all throughout the Albany area; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Craig A. Moore as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

County of Albany, New York

Office of the County

Executive
Daniel P. McCoy
Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

Proclamati
on

Honoring

Derek A. Johnson

2016 Men of Valor recipient

Whereas,

the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute celebrates and honors the Capital Districts
Men of Valor each year; and

Whereas,

this award recognizes those who have been trailblazers in the community, who have
made a difference and who have utilized their gifts and talents to improve the lives of
others; and

Whereas,

recipients of this years award come from a variety of professional backgrounds

including public safety, activism, education, and religious service; and

Whereas,

Derek A. Johnson has served the community as an educator and is currently the
Home School Coordinator for Giffen Memorial Elementary School where he works to
strengthen parent school connections; and

Whereas,

Derek has also founded Basketball with Books where he helps teach 1st-6th grade
students to read while also teaching them how to play basketball; and

Whereas,

as an educator, Derek has helped the children of the community to succeed; and

Whereas,

each gentleman has put his love of community above all else; now, therefore do I
hereby

Proclaim,

that Albany County honor

Derek A. Johnson as a
2016 Men of Valor recipient
for his dedication, love and commitment to the Albany community.
In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand
and cause the seal of the County of Albany
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2016.

Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

R. Nieves Ceremony 0609

I want to welcome you who have come today to
join us as we honor Rafael A. Nieves Jr., he
served our country with honor and he deserves
our deepest gratitude for the sacrifice he made to
protect our freedom.
Rafael was a kind, loving man. Those who knew
him say that his smile could light up the room. He
was a family man. He had two beautiful children
with his wife, Sarah. A daughter, Emma and a
son, Rafael A. III.
He loved reading novels, especially Harry Potter
and he also liked playing video games.
From a young age, Rafael knew that he wanted to
protect our great nation. As a kid he enjoyed
reading war stories. In High School, he was a
member of the Guilderland ROTC. And shortly
after graduating, he fulfilled his dream and enlisted
in the army. Rafael served our country with honor,
pride and courage.
On July 10, 2011 we lost a hero. Rafael died firing
back at the enemy in order to save his comrades.
He will always be remembered for his courage and
his unwavering loyalty to our country.
He has been bestowed many awards and honors
including:
The Army Commendation Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service
Star
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
And the Purple Heart.
Rafaels memory will continue to live on through
his children, his loving wife and his devoted
parents, Tina Roman and Rafael Nieves Sr.
But, he will also be remembered by our
community, we will be renaming a portion of East
Lydius Street, from Siver Road to Old State Road
in his honor.
It is with great appreciation that we commemorate
Rafael for his bravery. He served our country with
pride and we will never forget all he has done to
protect our freedom. Thank you.