LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Janet Russo Demas upon the occasion of
being honored on March 10, 2011, in conjunction with Women's History
Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to countless women who have
contributed to the advancement of our culture through both their tradi-
tional and non-traditional roles in society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those illustrious women within the Empire State who have made
strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others through
their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Janet Russo Demas upon the occasion of being honored on Thursday, March
10, 2011, in conjunction with Women's History Month in the State of New
York, at a special event to be held at the Bay Ridge Manor, Bay Ridge,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made
historic contributions to the growth and strength of New York State in
countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the State of New York officially sets aside time
to recognize the unique contributions that women have made to this great
Empire State and its society; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Janet Demas has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent
leadership in her unwavering service to her profession and community;
and
WHEREAS, Janet Demas was born and raised in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn;
she attended St. Agnes Elementary School, St. Joseph High School, and
graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in Elementary Education;
due to the fiscal crisis of the 1970s and the freeze on hiring teachers
in the City, she landed a job at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company on Wall
Street, where she held positions as an educator in the Human Resources
Department, an Officer's Assistant in the Marketing Department, and was
later promoted to an officer of the company and held the title of
Assistant Secretary in the Stock Transfer Department, before she left to
raise her two daughters, Stefanie and Arianna; and
WHEREAS, In the years that followed, Janet Demas survived a diagnosis
of breast cancer; with the need to return to work, she decided to go
back to her first love of teaching and began working as a substitute
teacher in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and also went to school at night to earn
her master's degree in Elementary Education; and
WHEREAS, Janet Demas was fortunate enough to be hired as a teacher at
her daughter's elementary school, P.S. 185; during this time she got
involved in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life; in her first
year in a full-time position, she had another diagnosis of breast
cancer, for which she underwent treatment and defeated; and
WHEREAS, Janet Demas returned to teaching and working in the community
with a new passion; the help she received from her family and friends
throughout her fight with cancer invigorated her to reach out to others
in the community who needed the same help; she became a team captain for
the Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights/Bensonhurst Relay for Life and raised a
significant amount for The American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, In past years, Janet Demas has also held the title of
co-chair of the Survivor Committee at these events; however, her help
and support for cancer victims in the community is not limited to Relay
for Life; she initiated a bone marrow drive for one of her former

students who was struggling with leukemia, and through the use of tele-
vision, newspapers, and help from the community, more than 350 people
participated in this drive; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Janet Demas has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Janet Demas, and to wish her contin-
ued success in all of her future endeavors; 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 Janet Russo Demas upon the occasion of being honored on March
10, 2011, in conjunction with Women's History Month in the State of New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Janet Russo Demas.