Assembly Resolution No. 182

BY: M. of A. Morinello

HONORING Norma Higgs upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Father Joseph L.
Levesque Award for Community Advocacy by the Niagara
USA Chamber

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention
to the dedicated efforts of those individuals from across the State of
New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to the
community; and

WHEREAS, Norma Higgs has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special recognition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Norma Higgs
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Father Joseph
L. Levesque Award for Community Advocacy by the Niagara USA Chamber to
be celebrated at its 2019 Awards Ceremony at the Seneca Niagara Resort &
Casino, Niagara Falls, New York, on Friday, March 15, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Niagara USA Chamber is proud to celebrate business
excellence in the Niagara Region; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, Norma Higgs has been
volunteering for a variety of local organizations for over 40 years;
subsequently, she was inducted to the Inaugural Niagara Falls Volunteer
Hall of Fame in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Since the 1980s, Norma Higgs' major activities have
benefitted the Niagara Beautification Commission where she has served
asboth a member of the Board of Directors and Board Secretary; and

WHEREAS, Since 2006, Norma Higgs has organized the annual Beautify
Niagara Citywide Clean; she recruits hundreds of volunteers who spread
out throughout the city collecting trash and cleaning up; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Norma Higgs has been a member of the Niagara
Arts and Cultural Center since 2006, and a member of the Board of
Directors since 2015, serving as Board Secretary for a majority of the
time; and

WHEREAS, Norma Higgs has been a volunteer weekly columnist with the
Niagara Gazette since 2006, concentrating on local history; and

WHEREAS, Wherever she is needed, Norma Higg's main goal is to
promote clean, safe, and economically thriving neighborhoods, allowing
residents to not only support themselves, but also help those around
them who are less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, Volunteerism is an essential element of all societies; it
provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and
serving can be sustained and strengthened; and

WHEREAS, Volunteerism promotes family and community solidarity; most
importantly, people who volunteer their time in civic and charitable
endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, Norma Higgs, an inspiring and motivational role model, is
the quintessential selection for the prestigious Father Joseph L.
Levesque Award for Community Advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Norma Higgs has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Norma Higgs upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Father Joseph L. Levesque Award for Community Advocacy by the
Niagara USA Chamber; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Norma Higgs.