LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Charles Heard, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, former Roosevelt business
owner, longtime foster parent and community activist, Charles Heard of
Freeport, New York died on Friday, July 3, 2009, at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, Charles Heard distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Charles Heard's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, he and his wife, Betti-
na, moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked for two years as a
purchaser for the typewriter company Smith Corona; he and his family
later moved to Hempstead, New York, and he worked as a purchaser for
Fairchild-Republic; he helped raise 75 children in foster care for over
21 years, working with the Catholic Guardian Society in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, Charles Heard stayed with Fairchild until it closed most of
its Long Island facilities in 1986; he then opened a delicatessen in the
Western Beef Shopping Center in Roosevelt and did catering from his home
when he moved to Freeport; and
WHEREAS, A member of Bethel AME Church, Charles Heard ran his deli for
six years, then left and opened a moving company, "Heard You're Moving"
in New Brunswick, New Jersey; he continued with that until 2002, when he
retired from all business except the catering service; and
WHEREAS, Known as a true asset to society, Charles Heard is survived
by his wife, Bettina, six children, Astrid, DeAndrea, Charles Jr.,
Kendall, Howard, and Darryl, and his siblings, Carlester, Billy, Sylves-
ter, Shirley, and Betty; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Charles Heard, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Charles Heard.