LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Charles E. Kozora upon the occasion
of his retirement as Superintendent of the Greenport Union Free School
District

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in the young
people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Charles E. Kozora upon the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent
of the Greenport Union Free School District on Sunday, May 31, 2009; and
WHEREAS, A 1966 graduate of Massapequa High School, Dr. Charles Kozora
earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from SUNY at Oswego
in 1970; in 1972, he received his Masters of Education degree from the
University of Georgia, and earned a Doctor of Education from Columbia
University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Recently honored as Educator of the Year by the SUFFOLK
TIMES, Dr. Charles Kozora has served as Superintendent of the Greenport
Union Free School District for the past 18 years; he has guided Green-
port from being the district with the highest tax rate around into
becoming a district known for its fiscal conservatism; and
WHEREAS, Among the town's current five superintendents, Dr. Kozora is
the only district head who was at the helm in the early 1990s, when
economically, funding cuts were common; for this particular reason, he
has been able to deal with the current economic crisis with confidence,
without sacrificing programs important to his students; and
WHEREAS, Not your typical Superintendent, Dr. Kozora was willing to do
whatever it took to ensure that the Greenport Union Free School District
thrived during difficult times; he was honest to a fault and never shied
away from voicing his opinion without concern for whether or not it
would be popular; and
WHEREAS, Prior to becoming Superintendent of Greenport Union Free
School District, Dr. Kozora served in various positions, including:
Superintendent, Delaware Valley Central School; District Principal,
Lamoille Union High School; Assistant Professor, SUNY College at Oswego;
Teacher, West Milford High School, New Jersey; and Industrial Arts
Instructor, Fabius Central School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Kozora has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of the Greenport Union Free School District as well as on the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
his impressive dedication to others; he is a true asset to society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Charles E. Kozora upon the occasion of his retirement as
Superintendent of the Greenport Union Free School District, for his
significant contributions to education in New York State and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Charles E. Kozora.