2011-J229
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Betty Martuscello upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Everyday Hero Award by the American
Federation of Teachers
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Betty Martuscello upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Everyday Hero Award by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT);
and
WHEREAS, Betty Martuscello, a retired teacher from Marlboro, New York,
was commended at the Marlboro Board of Education Meeting in December,
2010, for her exceptional commitment to her community and its schools;
and
WHEREAS, The AFT represents 1.5 million teachers, paraprofessionals
and other school-related personnel as well as higher education faculty
and professional staff; also included in the organization are federal,
state and local government employees, nurses, healthcare workers and
early childhood educators; and
WHEREAS, The award recognizes an individual or group who has had a
profound impact on the workplace or has performed extraordinary communi-
ty service outside of the job; and
WHEREAS, When Betty Martuscello retired after 37 years of teaching,
she couldn't stop helping students and schools; she has taken the lead
in creating and raising funds for the 1,000 Book Club, which buys pack-
ets of books and contributes them to local libraries for elementary
students to use; and
WHEREAS, A woman of great compassion and generosity, Betty Martuscello
is affectionately known as the "Flower Lady" of Marlboro because of her
work organizing, selling and distributing flowers three times a year to
raise money for college aid to local students; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Betty Martuscello is part of an effort to raise
money to build playgrounds at Marlboro's elementary schools; she helps
her church prepare and distribute holiday food baskets to needy house-
holds, and assists with fundraising for the local Lions Club's scholar-
ship fund; she is also an active member in the New York State United
Teachers Retiree Council 13; and
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; Betty Martuscello has given not only of
her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and lead-
ership; 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
honor Betty Martuscello upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of the Everyday Hero Award by the American Federation of Teachers;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Betty Martuscello.