Senate Resolution No. 1666

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

COMMENDING Marianne Klotz upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Friends
of Brookville Center for Children's Services on
March 21, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is greatly enriched by
the faithful and diligent work of those individuals who serve to meet
the special needs 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 Marianne Klotz upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Friends of Brookville Center for Children's Services,
celebrated at its Reach for the Stars Dinner Dance on Thursday, March
21, 2019, at The Mansion at Oyster Bay in Woodbury, New York; and

WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Marianne Klotz, Senior Director of
Brookville Center for Children's Services (BCCS), has pioneered new
methods for its students to reach their full potential and better
connect with their community; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Marianne Klotz, BCCS has
grown from six classrooms in Brookville, supporting 100 children to more
than 1,000 children with nearly 650 staff and schools in Brookville,
Westbury, New Hyde Park and Woodbury, as well as the children's
residential program (CRP) in Lido Beach; and

WHEREAS, Currently, this vital organization offers several programs
for those with special needs, infant/toddler daycare, integrated
preschool, and special education from pre-kindergarten through the age
of 21; and

WHEREAS, Marianne Klotz began her long and distinguished career with
BCCS as a teacher's aide in 1968, when she was going to college
part-time at Hofstra University; her professional milestones of becoming
a teacher, speech pathologist and program administrator coincide with
the passage of 1975's Education for All Handicapped Children's Act, the
key amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
in the 1990s, and other initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Marianne Klotz has accomplished
numerous goals; in 1989, she worked with the New York State Department
of Health to develop programs for preschool students, who were medically
frail or had multiple disabilities, and two years later, she connected
with the Long Island Regional Planning Group to update the
preschool/early intervention program; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Marianne Klotz opened one of the first autism
programs on Long Island, providing speech, occupational and physical
therapy; she also integrated physical education and music programs to
assist with the students' behavioral development; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her outstanding leadership, service to
and commitment to advocacy and assistance on behalf of children with
disabilities, their families and colleagues, Marianne Klotz has been the
recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2008 Award of
Distinction from the Long Island Association of Special Education
Administrators; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Donald
Grundborg, and her daughter Tara (Nieve) Klotz-Fanelli, both of whom
have shown her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
individuals who unselfishly devote their energy, talent and thoughtful
care on behalf of improving the quality and dignity of life in the
community, are worthy and due full praise and recognition for their
noble and dedicated efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Marianne Klotz upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Friends of Brookville Center for Children's Services
on March 21, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marianne Klotz.