LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Carmine Santa Maria upon the occa-
sion of celebrating his 30th Anniversary as President of the Bensonhurst
West End Community Council

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Carmine Santa Maria upon the occasion of celebrating his 30th Anni-
versary as President of the Bensonhurst West End Community Council; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at
its 49th Annual Dinner-Dance, to be held at El Caribe, 5945 Strickland
Avenue, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, A community leader in Bensonhurst for the past 34 years,
Carmine Santa Maria is the President of the Bensonhurst West End Commu-
nity Council, as well as President of the Harway Terrace Co-op, Presi-
dent and Founder of the "Big Screechers," and member and past President
of Community Education Council 21; and
WHEREAS, Carmine Santa Maria has served on Community School Board 21
since 1989, serving as its President the last five years of its exist-
ence; he was also the Chairman of the Borough President's Transit Advi-
sory Committee, and as such served on the Permanent Citizens Advisory
Committee to the MTA and the New York City Transit Riders Advisory Board
for fifteen years, representing Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Carmine Santa Maria writes a weekly column "Big
Screechers" in the BROOKLYN GRAPHIC, and has been doing so since 1988;
for many years, he was the publicist for the Brooklyn Columbus Parade
Committee; and
WHEREAS, A teacher of ballroom dancing for 54 years, and at the Feder-
ation of Italian American Organizations of Brooklyn for the past 11
years, Carmine Santa Maria was trained at the Arthur Murray Dance
Studios and taught at all the major chain dance studios, as well as in
the Catskill Mountain resorts, including the Concord, Grossingers and
Browns; he has also taught students at PS 128 and PS 212, and offered a
course for teachers at Community School District 21; and
WHEREAS, A retired letter carrier, Carmine Santa Maria applied himself
to community and civic activism while raising a family; as a member of
Community Education Council 21, his civic experience, public relations
experience and extended school board experience helped the fledging
community education council for five years until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Carmine Santa Maria founded and instituted Project L.E.A.R.N.
in District 21, which was a premiere showcase teaching youngsters to
"Lets End All Racism Now"; in addition, he is District 21 and
Bensonhurst's favorite Santa Claus at Christmas time and attended many
schools to spread Holiday cheer for the past 22 years; he has also been
Troop 20's favorite Santa at their annual Breakfast With Santa Fund
Raiser; and
WHEREAS, The involvement of Carmine Santa Maria with his community and
schools has earned him many, many honors and awards; he is proud to have
been installed in the Brooklyn Hall of Fame, Kingsborough Community
College Wall of Fame and was a Grand Marshal at the Brooklyn Columbus
Day Parade; and

WHEREAS, An activist who knows how to get things done, and able to
lead others to fight for and protect the community, Carmine Santa
Maria's expertise in dealing with others is a formidable tool to secure
the best education possible for children, as well as to improve the
quality of life for the communities he has served; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Carmine Santa Maria
has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Carmine Santa Maria upon the occasion of celebrating his
30th Anniversary as President of the Bensonhurst West End Community
Council; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Carmine Santa Maria.