LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Forest
Hills High School

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of commitment and high achievement whose
purpose and endeavors prove a dedication to the pursuit of excellence in
the education of the youth of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of Forest Hills High School; and
WHEREAS, When Forest Hills High School opened its doors on February 3,
1941, the building was hailed as an architectural masterpiece with its
simplified Georgian style architecture and a commanding view of Flushing
Meadows-Corona Park; and
WHEREAS, It quickly developed a reputation for excellence and made
history as the first school to produce three Westinghouse Scholars in
one year, a result of its strong science program which was designed to
reflect an actual research environment; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School offers specialized academic opportu-
nities for which thousands of applicants vie for a limited number of
coveted seats; students accepted into these advanced programs have the
opportunity to work with FHHS' partners in the community including
social service organizations, hospitals, Columbia University, Queens
College, CUNY's four year and community colleges, technical schools,
not-for-profit organizations, and the office of the Queens County
District Attorney, among others; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School has many distinguished alumni
including composers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, jurists,
physicians and business leaders including such notable persons as Grammy
Award Winning singers/songwriters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel; author
Ronald Chernow; U.S. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Katzman; U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew; opera singer Tatiana Troyanos;
NBA player Moe Harkless; and punk-rock pioneers, The Ramones, to name a
few; and
WHEREAS, Many extracurricular activities and clubs give students the
opportunity to explore current interests and discover new ones such as
student government, peer mediation, honor societies, performing arts,
foreign language, future business leaders, moot court, mock trial,
multicultural, Shakespeare, cheerleading, yearbook, and We the People
competition; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School is a Blue Ribbon School of Excel-
lence committed to academic excellence and preparation for college as
well as developing community and citizenship skills in a multicultural
society; and
WHEREAS, Principal Saul Gootnick has led Forest Hills High School
staff and students on a quest to achieve the highest academic potential
for all students, serving its multicultural population with a challeng-
ing curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School has earned an "A" on the New York
State report card for four years in a row, the only large high school in
Queens to achieve that milestone; and
WHEREAS, Seeking to support its students to achieve college readiness,
improve school-wide attendance, promote the role of parents as active
partners in their child's education and infuse the use of technology in
all classes, Forest Hills High School truly embodies its motto, "It all
Begins and Ends in the Classroom"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Forest Hills High School for 75 years of excellence in
education and for being a public high school of the highest caliber; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saul Gootnick, Principal, Forest Hills High School.