LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Karen Roberts upon the occasion of
receiving the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's 2010 Mother Jones
Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the efforts of individuals who distinguish themselves in service
to the cause of working men and women in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Karen Roberts upon the occasion of her designation as the recipient of
the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's Mother Jones Award; and
WHEREAS, She will be honored at the Hudson Valley Area Labor Feder-
ation's Fourth Annual Labor Heroes Celebration, to be held at The
Meadowbrook in New Windsor, New York on Friday, February 26, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Karen Roberts of the Newburgh Teachers' Association and
NYSUT, a woman of singular distinction, is receiving this most presti-
gious award from the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation in recognition
of her unwavering commitment and significant contributions to the commu-
nity as a labor activist and area leader; and
WHEREAS, Karen Roberts is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary College and
earned her master's degree from SUNY New Paltz in Teaching English as a
Second Language; she began her teaching career in 1999 and is currently
a Fourth Grade Teacher in the Newburgh City School District; and
WHEREAS, Karen Roberts comes from a union family; her father and both
of her grandfathers were union members; one of her sons is a member of
the Teamsters Local 456 in Elmsford and she herself has been a member of
NYSUT for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, She is, in addition, a member of the Hudson Valley Area Labor
Federation Executive Board and serves as a Vice President of the organ-
ization; she has served on numerous other boards as well and has also
been Vice President of the Hudson Catskill Central Labor Council; and
WHEREAS, Also active in the Newburgh Teachers' Association, Karen
Roberts is a former Trustee of its Benefit Trust Fund and has served the
Association as Secretary and as a member of its Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, While growing up in Westchester, Karen Roberts was involved
in local politics; she was an election inspector and worked on numerous
campaigns; her father was also instrumental in her becoming an activist,
telling her "Don't just complain about an issue, stand up and do some-
thing about it."; and
WHEREAS, Karen Roberts firmly believes that a hundred years from now
it will not matter what kind of bank account she had, what kind of house
she lived in, or what kind of car she drove; she hopes the world will be
a better place because of the important role she played in the lives of
the children she touched and that is, commendably, the way she lives her
life; and
WHEREAS, Karen Roberts resides in Wappingers Falls and has two grown
sons who are proud to be a part of her life and rejoice in her many
accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Karen Roberts has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Karen Roberts upon the occasion of receiving the Hudson Valley

Area Labor Federation's Mother Jones Award on February 26, 2010; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen Roberts, 120 Channingville Road, Apt. 4F, Wappingers
Falls, New York 12590.