Senate Resolution No. 514

BY: Senator JACOBS

COMMENDING Educators Totally Committed upon the
occasion of celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its
Jerry Starr SleepOut for the Homeless

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
organizations 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
30th Anniversary of its Jerry Starr SleepOut for the Homeless; and

WHEREAS, This year, the momentous event will be held on Friday,
February 3, 2017, at Hoover Middle School, in Tonawanda, New York; and

WHEREAS, The first SleepOut was organized by the late Samuel "Jerry"
Starr, a long-time teacher at Kenmore West High School and his
colleagues, Steve Ash and Charles Kohler; currently, Steve Ash and his
organization, Educators Totally Committed, coordinate the SleepOut each
year; and

WHEREAS, The Jerry Starr SleepOut allows students, faculty, family
members and others from the Ken-Ton community to sleep outside and
engage in the life of a homeless person, to raise funds for local
homeless shelters as well as raise awareness of the plight of
homelessness; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this event is to help educate the community
and to remind participants that homelessness is everywhere and people
are struggling to survive; those who participate are able to reflect on
what they have and to consider giving to others; and

WHEREAS, In the past 30 years, Educators Totally Committed has
received nearly $1 million and countless donations of food, clothing,
personal care items and household items such as small furniture to help
the less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Educators Totally Committed is kicking off a new
initiative called Bag It, encouraging students to bring in a bag of
items, whether it is canned or boxed food, personal care items, clothes
or any other in-need items to donate to local organizations, such as the
Ken-Ton Closet and Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District Family
Support Center; and

WHEREAS, There are people in need located in every neighborhood of
our world community; those in need of basic everyday necessities are
dependent upon the compassionate concern and action of those who are
able to help, especially people who are able to support those located in
their own community, as they have a clearer insight into the specific
needs of the people who need the assistance; and


WHEREAS, Children who learn social behaviors at a young age, and who
are raised in an environment which emphasizes concern for others, are
likely to continue with them into adulthood, to be utilized for the
betterment of their immediate community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of 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
30th Anniversary of its Jerry Starr SleepOut for the Homeless; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Educators Totally Committed.