LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jill Levine upon the occasion of being
named the 2011 Person of the Year by the MERRICK HERALD

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, Jill Levine has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jill Levine
upon the occasion of being named the 2011 Person of the Year by the
MERRICK HERALD for her works on behalf of the youth not only in her
hometown but across Long Island and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A Michigan native, Jill is a graduate of both the University
of Michigan and Boston University; she moved to New York State with her
husband in 1994, and has been a resident of Merrick, New York, since
2000; and
WHEREAS, Jill Levine has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, after the tragic loss of their son, Robbie, Jill
Levine and her husband, Craig, co-founded the nonprofit organization,
Forever 9: The Robbie Levine Foundation; she currently runs the day to
day operations of the Foundation; and
WHEREAS, For six years, Forever 9: The Robbie Levine Foundation has
been raising awareness for the need for Automated External Defibrilla-
tors (AED) at youth ball fields, and raising the funds to purchase them;
and
WHEREAS, In the spring of 2006, the Levines undertook a major project
called Robbie's Run, a 5K run/walk through the streets around Levy-Lake-
side Elementary, where Robbie Levine was a student; and
WHEREAS, Today, Robbie's Run has become a highly anticipated annual
tradition in the Merricks, with more than 2,000 runners and walkers
taking part annually; all proceeds from the run fund the Robbie Levine
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, for the past four years, Jill Levine and her
husband have hosted a Dealing with Hearts Gala to further raise money
for Robbie's Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Jill Levine has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Craig, and their
children, Josh, Samantha, and Riley, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Jill Levine has displayed throughout
her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jill Levine upon the occasion of being named the 2011 Person of
the Year by the MERRICK HERALD; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jill Levine.