LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gene Kaplan upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition as recipient of the Ruth Fins
Memorial Award by the Rockville Centre Education Foundation

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 Gene Kaplan upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition as recipient of the Ruth Fins Memorial Award by the Rockville
Centre Education Foundation; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated
on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the Hempstead Golf and Country Club; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Rockville Centre Education Foundation fulfills
its mission for school enrichment, by actively raising monies each year
through an Annual Gala, seeking government funds, obtaining public and
private grants, and soliciting donations from community members; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 15 years, the Rockville Centre Education Foun-
dation has donated significant monies to the Rockville Centre public
schools to fund initiatives that are beyond the scope of the school
district's budget, such as: the high school newspaper, THE SPORTSMAN;
Shakespeare Festival; Project Weather Station; Literacy Programs; Robot-
ics Team Competition; DNA Learning Center; Computers for 4th and 5th
graders; and Automated External Defibrillators; and
WHEREAS, With growing state and federal mandates and diminishing fund-
ing increasingly stretching school district resources, the Rockville
Centre Education Foundation is ensuring an exemplary education for the
children of Rockville Centre, despite fiscal uncertainties and budgetary
constraints; and
WHEREAS, Gene Kaplan of the Southside High School music department is
an outstanding music teacher in the Rockville Centre school district,
where he is a band leader and music technician; he is also an adjunct
lecturer in applied music at Molloy College; and
WHEREAS, An educator, composer, arranger and performer, Gene Kaplan is
a graduate of Queen's College where he received his Bachelor of Arts
degree; he earned a Master's degree at New York University, and studied
composition for the musical theater with the prominent author and Broad-
way conductor, Dr. Lehman Engel; and
WHEREAS, A woodwind musician who doubles on both single and double
reed instruments, Gene Kaplan has performed for shows, night-club acts
and in various musical organizations from jazz and show bands to pit
theater orchestras; as a composer-arranger he has written for varied
ensembles from jazz big band to symphony orchestra; and
WHEREAS, Gene Kaplan is married and the proud father of three chil-
dren; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Gene Kaplan has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the respect
and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Gene Kaplan has displayed throughout
his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gene Kaplan upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition as recipient of the Ruth Fins Memorial Award by the
Rockville Centre Education Foundation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gene Kaplan.