LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Beverly McDermott upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Beverly McDer-
mott upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Born to George and Eleanor Neumann, Beverly McDermott is a
descendent of the first English settlers, who signed both the patent for
the Dutch colony called Vlissengen, later called Flushing, and the
Flushing Remonstrance; and
WHEREAS, Beverly McDermott has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, As a child, Beverly McDermott was always available to lend a
hand, from saving animals and birds in jeopardy, to volunteering as a
candy striper at Flushing Hospital, to publishing a neighborhood "news-
letter" at the young age of 10; and
WHEREAS, Beverly McDermott also served as a docent at Kingsland School
and then went to the Bowne House where she held the position of both
docent and gardener; later, she held the title of Director of Education
and Director of Docents; and
WHEREAS, For over nine years, Beverly McDermott has served as an EMT
with the Flushing Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and worked in the Worthy
Pause Thrift Shop and was a member of its Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, A true public servant, Beverly McDermott has participated on
the Kissena Park Civic Association (KPCA) Board for almost 20 years, and
holds the title of Director of the Friends of Kissena Park, where she
and Arthur and Rose Farmer maintain a garden that she designed many
years ago with the hard work of other members; and
WHEREAS, In response to the attack on 9/11, Beverly McDermott was
instrumental in having a Franklinia tree planted in memory of the
victims, and served on the committee which raised the Korean War Memori-
al; and
WHEREAS, As Director of Education at the Van Nostrand Starkins Museum
in Roslyn, New York, Beverly McDermott created a "walk in history"
program to introduce colonial history to students from pre-school to
college level using hands-on artifacts to bring history to life in a
more personal way, bringing it right into the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Beverly McDermott has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of 53 years,
Willard, and their two children, Kevin and Karen, all of whom feel priv-
ileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Beverly McDermott has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Beverly McDermott, devoted to improving
the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity
and self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Beverly McDermott upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by
the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Beverly McDermott.