LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Steven Heaton upon the occasion of his
receiving the New York State Athletic Administrators Association Chapter
10 Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Steven Heaton
upon the occasion of his receiving the New York State Athletic Adminis-
trators Association Chapter 10 Distinguished Service Award for 2012; and
WHEREAS, Steven Heaton began working at the Ogdensburg JOURNAL-ADVANCE
NEWS 21 years ago, after graduating from high school, when, as the
scorekeeper for the Ogdensburg Adult Basketball League, he began visit-
ing the newspaper office to report the box scores of local athletes; and
WHEREAS, Prompted by his passion for sports and sports journalism,
especially community and high school sports, Steven Heaton began helping
out in the newspaper's sports office on a volunteer basis by answering
phones, writing high school athletics box scores and reporting on local
little league baseball and adult softball games while attending college;
and
WHEREAS, After completing his studies at Mater Dei College and SUNY
Canton, he began to work part-time at THE JOURNAL, later taking a full
time position with the paper; and
WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, Steven Heaton has earned the
respect of the North Country's high school sports athletes, coaches and
athletic directors, establishing himself as someone who routinely goes
well beyond the call of duty to ensure that community, high school,
collegiate athletes and professionals receive the best coverage and
recognition possible in the pages of THE JOURNAL of Ogdensburg, the
COURIER-OBSERVER of Massena and Potsdam, the St. Lawrence PLAINDEALER of
Canton and the ADVANCE NEWS of St. Lawrence County; and
WHEREAS, Whether reporting the results of a game, photographing a
sporting event, or using computers, digital media or websites, Steven
Heaton ensures that Northern New York's newspaper readers obtain a
comprehensive understanding of North Country sports; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his numerous contributions and his commit-
ment to local sports, the New York State Athletic Administrators Associ-
ation honored Steven Heaton for his years of service and dedication to
high school athletics by presenting him with its Chapter 10 Distin-
guished Service Award at its 2012 Awards Luncheon; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Steven Heaton upon the occasion of his receiving the New York
State Athletic Administrators Association Chapter 10 Distinguished
Service Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steven Heaton.