LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Nancy and Chuck Benfer upon the occa-
sion of their designation for special recognition by Mount Saint Mary
College on June 6, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Nancy and Chuck Benfer upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by Mount Saint Mary College, to be celebrated at its
38th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament and 5th Annual Tennis Tourna-
ment on Monday, June 6, 2016, at The Powelton Club, Newburgh, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Nancy and Chuck Benfer have been selected as this year's
Tennis Honorees in recognition of their steadfast and unwavering commit-
ment to Mount Saint Mary College and the community-at-large; and
WHEREAS, Lifelong residents of the Hudson Valley, Nancy and Chuck
Benfer have been married for 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Benfer earned both her bachelor's degree and Masters of
Science degree in Education: Childhood/Special Education from Mount
Saint Mary College; and
WHEREAS, For the past 19 years, Nancy Benfer has worked at Bishop Dunn
Memorial School, where she began her illustrious career as a Kindergar-
ten Teaching Assistant; currently, she holds the title of Assistant
Principal; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Nancy Benfer is a highly respected adjunct
professor in the Mount Saint Mary College's Education Department; an
innovative educator, she spearheaded a project with a co-teacher and 4th
grade Bishop Dunn students to write a book about the history of Mount
Saint Mary College entitled TEACH ME TRUTH; and
WHEREAS, A well-respected educator, Nancy Benfer has collaborated on
several presentations throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, from
subjects on "Inspiring 21st Century Learners Informational Writing
through Children's Literature and Media" to "Diversifying the Common
Core Text Exemplars"; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Nancy Benfer presented her material at her first
national conference for the Literacy Research Association (LRA); her
passion for providing all students with books inspired her to co-author
"How Common Core's Recommended Books Fail Children of Color" with a
fellow Mount Saint Mary College professor; and
WHEREAS, A prolific writer, Nancy Benfer also co-authored "Don't
Forget the Pictures: Using Graphical Devices to Learn About Space,"
which is currently under review with the editors of the MICHIGAN READING
JOURNAL; and
WHEREAS, A member of Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning
(CELL), Nancy Benfer spends her summer supervising Mount Saint Mary
College teacher candidates at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center; and
WHEREAS, When Nancy Benfer is not working, she loves to play tennis,
and serves as the chair of The Powelton Club Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Chuck Benfer began his radio career with Beacon
Broadcasting as an Account Executive; three years later, he joined Rob
Dyson's WEOK Broadcasting and worked his way up the corporate ladder
until it was sold in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Benfer stayed on with the new owners, Aurora Communi-
cations and Cumulus Media, where he became the Market Manager; from

2009-2012, he held the position of General Manager for Pamal Broadcast-
ing in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, In December of 2012, Chuck Benfer began working as Market
Manager for Clear Channel of the Hudson Valley; today, he holds the
title of Market President of iHeart Media (formerly Clear Channel) in
Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and the Hudson Valley; and
WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his communi-
ty, Chuck Benfer has been the recipient of numerous local, regional and
national awards and accolades including The Heart of Gold Community
Service Award, JDRF's Hope Award, and awards from the American Heart
Association, The Alzheimer's Association and the March of Dimes; he was
also named one of Radio's 20 Best Managers by RADIO INC. MAGAZINE and is
a two time winner of its coveted Market Manager of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Chuck Benfer received the Rutberg Breslow Community
Service Award for his outstanding efforts in supporting his local commu-
nity, and was bestowed upon the Most Outstanding Philanthropist Award by
The Association of Fundraising Professionals for his work towards
advancing the mission for 78 not-for-profit organizations throughout the
region; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Nancy and Chuck Benfer have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their two daughters, Elora and
Eliza, and their son, Charles IV, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Nancy and Chuck Benfer have displayed
throughout their lives; 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
commend Nancy and Chuck Benfer upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition by Mount Saint Mary College on June 6, 2016; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nancy and Chuck Benfer.