LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mary E. McWilliams upon the occasion
of her designation for special honor by the Retired Educators Chapter of
the Great Neck Teachers Association on May 18, 2009

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 pay tribute to
those individuals of outstanding character and remarkable integrity who
enhanced the quality of education of 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 commend
Mary E. McWilliams upon the occasion of her designation for special
honor by the Retired Educators Chapter of the Great Neck Teachers Asso-
ciation on May 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1919, Mary E. McWilliams
enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II and was stationed in
Cleveland as an intelligence officer; she later became a captain, the
second highest rank in the Coast Guard; and
WHEREAS, A presidential appointee on the Defense Advisory Committee on
Women in the Services, Mary E. McWilliams taught at Kings Point Merchant
Marine Academy, when it became the first federal service academy to
admit women in 1974; and
WHEREAS, Mary E. McWilliams graduated from Brooklyn College and
Columbia's Teachers College in 1949 and was named a Distinguished Alumna
of Brooklyn College in 2003; she initially taught in New York City
Schools before teaching English at Great Neck North Junior High School;
and
WHEREAS, A charter member and former Executive Director and President
of the Retired Educators Chapter of the Great Neck Teachers Association,
Mary E. McWilliams was a member in good standing of the Great Neck
Teachers Association for her entire tenure as an English teacher at
Great Neck North Junior High School; and
WHEREAS, Mary E. McWilliams also served as the first editor of the
award-winning Great Neck Ties, the official newsletter of the Retired
Educators Chapter of the Great Neck Teachers Association and was an
elected retiree delegate of the Great Neck Teachers Association to the
New York State United Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers
Conventions; and
WHEREAS, A retiree observer on the Board of Directors of the New York
State United Teachers, Mary E. McWilliams served as a co-chair of its
Retiree Organizing Committee, and helped to establish and organize new
union retiree chapters on the north shore on Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Educators like Mary E. McWilliams provide a tremendous
service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of
young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in
their future years; and
WHEREAS, Mary E. McWilliams has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of this great Empire State and accordingly merits recognition and
applause for her impressive dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who worked 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
commend Mary E. McWilliams upon the occasion of her designation for

special honor by the Retired Educators Chapter of the Great Neck Teach-
ers Association on May 18, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary E. McWilliams.