LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert Astrowsky upon the occasion of
his designation by the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers as the
recipient of its Educational Leadership Award on March 27, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend illustrious individuals of distinguished purpose whose lives
have been committed to the pursuit of excellence in the education of the
youth of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Robert Astrowsky upon the occasion of his designation by the Association
of Orthodox Jewish Teachers of the New York City Public Schools as the
recipient of its Educational Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Robert Astrowsky, Assistant Secretary of the United Feder-
ation of Teachers, will be honored at the organization's 41st Annual
Luncheon, to be held at The Renaissance in Brooklyn, New York, on
Sunday, March 27, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Brooklyn, where he attended public
schools, including Brooklyn Technical High School, Robert Astrowsky
earned a bachelor's degree from Long Island University and a master's
degree from CUNY Hunter College; and
WHEREAS, Robert Astrowsky began his career in the New York City public
school system more than 40 years ago as a teacher and, later, became a
guidance counselor; soon after entering the system, he became an active
member of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and was soon elected
the Chapter Leader at P.S. 148 in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, Robert Astrowsky then went on to serve, for 24 years, as UFT
District 3 Representative and for 13 years, from 1993 to 2006, as UFT
Brooklyn Borough Representative and, in July 2006, he became Assistant
to the UFT president and was elected Assistant Secretary of the union,
the position in which he is currently ably serving; and
WHEREAS, Robert Astrowsky has also served the teachers union in many
capacities on the local, state, and national levels as a UFT Executive
Board Member and Member of the Negotiating Committee, Member of the New
York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Executive Committee and Board of
Directors, and Delegate to the American Federation of Teachers, NYSUT,
and New York State AFL-CIO conventions; his dedication to unionism, in
addition, spread well beyond New York when he served as a union organiz-
er in Texas, Louisiana and Arizona; and
WHEREAS, In spite of his busy schedule, Robert Astrowsky has made time
to share his talent and vast expertise serving as a valued Member and
Chair of the Teacher and Certification Practices Board, Member of the
New York Board of Regents Advisory Council to the Regents' New York City
Project, Member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Sports Founda-
tion, Member of the Executive Board of the Jewish Labor Heritage Commit-
tee, Delegate to the Jewish Labor Committee and the Central Labor Coun-
cil and teaching at Borough of Manhattan Community College; and
WHEREAS, Robert Astrowsky's many contributions to the UFT have
fittingly been recognized with the Charles Cogen Award, the union's
highest honor, as well as the Albert Lee Smallheiser Award and the David
Wittes Award and, on March 27, 2011, he will become the only person to
twice be honored with the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers'
Educational Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such accomplishment are brought to our attention it is appropri-
ate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the edification and
emulation of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert Astrowsky upon the occasion of his designation as the
recipient of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers' Educational
Leadership Award on March 27, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Astrowsky.