LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Shari Lewis upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the Joey Award from the Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. on
June 5, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Shari Lewis upon the occasion of receiving the Joey Award from the Child
Care Council of Westchester, Inc. at its Awards Luncheon to be held on
Friday, June 5, 2009, at The Woman's Club, White Plains, New York; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Shari Lewis has given not
only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence
and leadership and consequently has been designated for this special
honor; and
WHEREAS, This marks the 21st year of the Council's Joey Awards, named
after Joseph M. Ungaro, former Vice President of the Gannett Metro News
Division and first President of the Board of Directors of the Child Care
Council of Westchester, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Shari Lewis has been the provider for her family her entire
life, although she did not know that she would formalize her calling
until 10 years ago, when she made the decision with the help of her
extended family, to start Nana's Place, a licensed Group Family Child
Care program; and
WHEREAS, For the past 10 years, Shari Lewis has carefully selected her
program's curriculum and has built an extraordinary classroom environ-
ment that includes a computer center, a science center, a manipulative
area and a kitchen for cooking and baking with the kids; and
WHEREAS, Under the esteemed leadership of Shari Lewis, Nana's Place
has earned the distinctive NAEYC accreditation; in addition, Shari holds
the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; and
WHEREAS, Prior to raising her family and starting Nana's Place, Shari
Lewis was a member of the United States Army stationed in Jackson, South
Carolina; as a Telecommunications Specialist, she learned to operate and
repair equipment within the military's enormous computer systems; upon
the completion of her tour of duty, she proudly joined the Army National
Guard; and
WHEREAS, Shari Lewis has clearly had an enduring impact on the youth
of Westchester County, as well as on the community-at-large, and accord-
ingly merits recognition and applause for her impressive dedication to
others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Shari Lewis upon the occasion of receiving the Joey Award from the
Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. on June 5, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shari Lewis.