RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING Sponsored by President LaMonica R. McIver 1. Captain Theresa M. Claiborne, First Commissioned African-American Woman Pilot in the History of the United States Air Force Sponsored by Council Member C. Lawrence Crump 2. Little Zion U.A.M.E. Church, on its 136th Church Anniversary Celebration Sponsored by Council Member Carlos M. Gonzalez 3. Firefighters honored during the Community Softball Scrimmage, of the NPD Newark Men’s Softball, Inc. vs. the Santiago Soldiers, for their acts of heroism, on Sunday, March 31, 2024 4. Individuals honored during the 2024 North Ward Center Scholarship Recipient Awards, to be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 5. Sergeant Jacob Hernandez, on his retirement after twenty-five (25) years of public service with the City’s Department of Public Safety, Division of Police 6. Police Officer Diane Figueroa, on her retirement after thirty-five (35) years of public service with the City’s Department of Public Safety, Division of Police Sponsored by Council Member Dupré L. Kelly 7. Kenneth E. Walters, Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and former employee of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Emergency Management 8. Coach Anthony Baskerville Sponsored by Council Member Luis A. Quintana 9. Individuals honored during the Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s Mother’s Day Celebration, held on Sunday, May 12, 2024 10. Mike Rodriguez, on his 90th Birthday Celebration 11. Manuel Cardenas, on graduating from Kean University Sponsored by Council Member Louise Scott-Rountree 12. Eileen Shaw, Senior Heroine Honoree, during the 8th Annual Newark Senior Services Unsung Hero-Heroines Ceremony, held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 13. Individuals honored during the 8th Annual Newark Senior Services Unsung Hero-Heroines Ceremony, held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 14. Individuals honored during the KIPP NJ - Be the Change Gala, held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 15. Individuals honored during the Community Affairs & Resource Center’s 12th Gala - Celebrating 44 Years of Service - “Twelve Stars Gala”, held on Friday, May 10, 2024 16. Individuals honored during the McDonald’s Gospel Fest 2024 “The Revival Tour”, held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 17. Pastor Lula Baker, honored during the City Wide Revival Newark & Vicinity, at Mount Pleasant Church, held on Thursday, May 16, 2024 18. Marcella Pleasant, on her 62nd Birthday Celebration, held on Friday, May 17, 2024 19. Yoruba Action Council YAC North America, on celebrating the YAC Grandeur Event Launching & Fundraising Gala Banquet: “Yoruba Renaissance in the Diaspora & Homeland”, held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 20. Immanuel Love Family Worship Center, on its 37th Church Anniversary, held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 21. Shiloh Baptist Church, on its 116th Church Anniversary, held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 22. Individuals honored during the Dimensions of Light WOTCC - Pentecost Fellowship Service, Honoring our Apostolic Fathers, held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 23. Individuals honored during the 4th Annual Juneteenth Unity Gala, held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 24. Individuals honored during the Friends of New Jersey Legacy Foundation, Juneteenth Freedom Dinner Cruise Party, to be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Sponsored by Council Member Michael J. Silva, Jr. 25. Students honored with the Citizen’s Award (Matias Calle) and Achievement Award (Ariana Faican), from Oliver Street School 26. Students honored with the Citizen’s Award (Leslie Virgen) and Achievement Award (Johanna Monroy-Munoz), from Lafayette Street School