LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Roy J. Blash upon the occasion of
his designation by Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn as the recipient of its
Philip David Stone '65 Educator of the Year Award on March 19, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen
field of endeavor, in their community, or through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Dr. Roy J. Blash upon the occasion of his designation by Adelphi
Academy of Brooklyn as the recipient of its Philip David Stone '65
Educator of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Roy J. Blash will be honored at the school's 2009 Presi-
dent's Gala and Silent Auction, Celebrating 145 Years of Educational
Excellence, to be held at El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn on Thurs-
day, March 19, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1863, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn is the oldest
private co-educational college preparatory day school in Brooklyn, and
one of the oldest in the nation, and has a proud tradition of a strong
Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade educational program; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its President's Gala, the Adelphi Academy of
Brooklyn proudly honors outstanding members of the Adelphi Academy fami-
ly and community who exemplify and support its mission and whose lives
and accomplishments exemplify the tenets of the school; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Roy J. Blash, distinguished educator, current President
and former Trustee and Headmaster of Adelphi Academy, truly merits such
recognition; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Blash attended Public School 44 in Brooklyn, Midwood High
School, Brooklyn College of The City University of New York, Columbia
University Teachers College, New York University and New York Law
School; he began his career in education teaching in Bedford Stuyvesant,
Brooklyn and later attained a principalship in East New York, where he
served for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, He was Vice President of the New York City Elementary School
Principal's Association and served as the city wide director of New York
City's youth corps for 16 summers; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Blash has, in addition, been an Assistant Professor in
Pace University's graduate education department for the past 37 years
where he has taught such diverse course offerings as school law, manage-
ment of schools, supervision and administration of schools, and new
approaches to education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Blash has been a featured speaker and lecturer on educa-
tional issues and related topics at innumerable seminars, conventions
and meetings and has published numerous articles in educational journals
throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, Upon retirement from his principalship, Dr. Blash became a
special assistant to the Director of Human Resources under New York City
Board of Education Chancellor Rudy Crew and later the Executive Director
of Communities in Schools, New York, Inc., a nationwide not-for-profit
program addressing the needs of over two million young people in need
and, in July 2008, Dr. Blash returned to Adelphi Academy as its Presi-
dent, a capacity in which he is serving ably and with great diligence
and creativity; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 42 years, Elinor,
and their sons Heath and Justin, all of whom are proud to be part of his
life and rejoice in his many accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Conferral of this Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn high honor is a
well-deserved and fitting recognition of his achievements and contrib-
utions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Roy J. Blash upon the occasion of his designation by Adelphi
Academy of Brooklyn as the recipient of its Philip David Stone '65
Educator of the Year Award on March 19, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Roy J. Blash.