RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP NORMAN, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ, AND HODGES:
A RESOLUTION OF THE YONKERS CITY COUNCIL TO HONOR THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY’S REQUEST TO HONORARILY RENAME PROSPECT STREET AS JAMES EDWARD DEGREE WAY
WHEREAS, James Edward Degree, born on March 9, 1935, in Shelby, North Carolina, was for many decades a proud and dedicated resident of the City of Yonkers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Degree was employed as a diligent and meticulous professional mover for Alto Brothers, Inc., earning, before his retirement after forty-one years, a reputation for hard work, reliability and generosity; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Degree was fondly known in the community as the “Mayor of Yonkers,” and for being instrumental in the running of Yonkers’ own Pelton Baseball League and for generously donating to various organizations dedicated to children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Degree was admired for his humility, wisdom, honesty, and ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, and for enriching the lives of everyone who knew him; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Degree was deeply devoted to his loving family: his late wife Diana; his daughter Pamela; his son James and his wife Sharon; his daughter Michelle; his daughter Penni; his son Douglas and his wife Patricia; his daughter Valerie; and his son Leroy and his wife Hazel; twenty grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren, and the many extended family members; and
WHEREAS , Mr. Degree’s passing has left a giant void in the hearts of all those who knew him, but his legacy of love, mentorship and community spirit will continue to inspire the people of Yonkers;
WHEREAS, in recognition of his extraordinary life and contributions to the City of Yonkers, a petition has been prepared by the family of Mr. Degree requesting that Prospect Street be honorarily renamed “James Edward Degree Way;” and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to honor this request which will establish a lasting tribute to Mr. Degree’s life of commitment to others and the City of Yonkers;
WHEREAS, the Yonkers City Council is required by law to duly set and conduct a public hearing in order to grant such a request; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to applicable law, a properly notified and publicized public hearing was duly set and held before the City Council at the City Council Chambers in City Hall, on January 27, 2026, prior to its stated meeting, to consider the honorary street re-naming of Prospect Street as “James Edward Degree Way,” with appropriate signage to be installed at this location; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Yonkers City Council hereby honorarily street re-names Prospect Street as “James Edward Degree Way, with appropriate signage to be installed at this location; and be it further
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Yonkers City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to set and properly publicize a public hearing on the proposed renaming of Prospect Street as “James Edward Degree Way.”
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval, the Department of Public Works shall create and place at Prospect Street signage that shall read: “James Edward Degree Way.”
RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.