Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Jennifer Chait (212) 788-8479
Veralyne Holmes Hamilton was born on June 14, 1934 in Norfolk, Virginia. She was the only child of Lillie and Crawley Holmes and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Norfolk. In 1958 she relocated to The Bronx, where she married and gave birth to four daughters.
In an effort to better the life of her family and neighbors, Mrs. Hamilton became involved in community development activities. These activities eventually led to her serving as Second Vice Chairperson of The Bronx Model Cities Policies Committee from 1968 to 1972. Community involvement inspired Mrs. Hamilton to return to college where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters of Urban Planning degree from Hunter College.
Mrs. Hamilton later served on The Bronx Community Planning Board Number 3, where she became Chairperson and subsequently District Manager. The highlights of her tenure on Community Board Number 3 included the development of Bathgate Industrial Park and the Charlotte Street Homeownership Program. Continuing her role as an advocate for improvement and delivery of quality services, Veralyne Hamilton served as Director of the Labor Sherman Day Care Center from 1973 to 1981, emphasizing the needs of parents as well as those of the children.
Veralyne Hamilton died on June 15, 1996, after dedicating her life to the revitalization of the South Bronx. Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her husband Winston Hamilton and four daughters, Pamela, Winifred, Joy and Joan.
In recognition of Veralyne H. Hamilton's many years of community service it is fitting that East 167th Street, between Rev. James Polite Avenue and Intervale Avenue, in Community Board Number 3, where she lived and worked, be called "Veralyne H. Hamilton Place."
For reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.