LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Maria Ortega upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition at the 4th Annual Salute to Women of
Valor on May 12, 2011

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to countless women who have
contributed to the advancement of our culture through their traditional
and non-traditional roles in society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those Women of Valor 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 honor
Maria Ortega upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion at the 4th Annual Salute to Women of Valor to be held at Brooklyn
College's Student Union on Thursday, May 12, 2011; 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, This Legislative Body has set aside time to recognize the
unique contributions that valiant women have made to this great Empire
State and its society; and
WHEREAS, Maria Ortega was born and raised in the Williamsburg section
of Brooklyn; one of three children born to Fernando and Gloria del
Valle, she was raised in a household where strong family values were
instilled; these strong family values encouraged her to strive for and
obtain an education; and
WHEREAS, After raising three of her own children, Maria Ortega decided
to return to school to obtain a degree in Education; she graduated from
Boricua College with a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Elemen-
tary Education; she attended Brooklyn College where she received her
Master's degree in reading and continued on to obtain her Supervisory
and Administration certification; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, Maria Ortega was recruited to join the New York City
Leadership Academy for the Aspiring Principals Program; after completing
a grueling fourteen month program, including leadership development,
internships, and real life experiences, she was interviewed for and
attained a Principal position at George Gershwin IS 166; in this capaci-
ty, she has worked diligently to close the achievement gap and provide
endless opportunities to her students as well as her staff; and
WHEREAS, Working closely with the community has helped Maria Ortega
secure the funds to build a state of the art Media Center which includes
a Recording Studio and Computer Lab; the Gershwin Royal Knights Marching
Band and the Warriors Baseball Team were made possible due to her
efforts and have been recognized for winning competitions as well as
changing student's lives; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Maria Ortega, 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maria Ortega upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the 4th Annual Salute to Women of Valor; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Maria Ortega.