LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Educators Totally Committed upon the
occasion of celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Kenmore-Town of
Tonawanda School System's Annual Sleepout, and paying tribute to its
founder, Samuel J. Starr

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Educators Totally Committed upon the occasion of celebrating the 25th
Anniversary of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School System's Annual
Sleepout, and to pay tribute to its founder, Samuel J. Starr; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr taught for 34 years in the Kenmore-Town of
Tonawanda School System; for those years, he was a well-respected,
accomplished, and admired teacher of English Drama and Speech; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable educator was held in the highest esteem and
most favorable regard by faculty, staff, and students; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr was founder of the Ken-Ton Summer Musical
Workshop; he was a director of school musicals and plays and summer
musical productions; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr had the passion of helping the less-fortunate
and continually motivated faculty, staff, and students to engage in
programs, events, and sponsorships to help the less-fortunate; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, Samuel J. Starr was a co-founder of a group of local
teachers, staff members, and students known as Educators Totally Commit-
ted, which raises donations of cash, food, clothes, personal care items,
and small furniture items, all of which is donated to local agencies
which aid the less-fortunate; and
WHEREAS, Since 1988, Educators Totally Committed has been actively
involved in an annual Ken-Ton Schools' Sleepout as its only program to
raise the above-mentioned donations; and
WHEREAS, Educators Totally Committed has raised significant funds
since its inception to aid the less-fortunate; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr had a vision that this endeavor to help the
less-fortunate might be spread worldwide to involve schools everywhere
in similar programs to help those in need in their own communities on
the same day, being the first Friday in February of each year; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr personally participated in approximately the
first 21 sleepouts; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr was instrumental in encouraging other schools
in his geographic area, both public and non-public, to participate in
this first Friday in February school day of caring and sharing to help
those in need; and
WHEREAS, Samuel J. Starr's children are actively involved with this
program in their own respective schools where they teach, helping their
chosen organizations which aid the poor; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Educators Totally Committed upon the occasion of celebrating the
25th Anniversary of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School System's Annual

Sleepout, and to pay tribute to its founder, Samuel J. Starr; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Educators Totally Committed and the family of Samuel J.
Starr.