Senate Resolution No. 1760

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

HONORING Dr. George L. Williams upon the occasion
of his designation as the 2017 Citizen of the Year
by the Community Chest of Port Washington

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dr. George L. Williams upon the occasion of his designation as the 2017
Citizen of the Year by the Community Chest of Port Washington, to be
celebrated on Monday, April 24, 2017, at the Port Washington Public
Library, Port Washington, New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year since 1969, the Community Chest of Port
Washington selects an extraordinary resident or organization as its
Citizen of the Year; Dr. George L. Williams is being recognized with
this auspicious award for his lifetime of outstanding volunteer service
to the Port Washington community; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to maintaining
the historical nature of Port Washington, Dr. George L. Williams has had
a long and decorated career in public service; and

WHEREAS, Born to Leo and Cathryn Williams in 1931, George L.
Williams moved with his family from Tupper Lake to Levittown, New York,
in the 1940s; he graduated from Queens College in 1953, with honors in
Political Science and distinction in History, and would go on to earn
his Ph.D. in Education from NYU; and

WHEREAS, George L. Williams began his illustrious career in
education at Weber Middle School in 1953, during which time he met his
wife, Dr. Adelia Musa Williams, who was teaching Latin at the school
through an exchange program; the couple married in 1958, and moved to
Manorhaven, Port Washington in 1961; and

WHEREAS, George L. Williams served as an educator until his
retirement in 1990, after 37 years of distinguished service to Webster
Middle School; he was also an Adjunct Professor at Adelphi, Hofstra and
Queens College, as well as an Assistant and Visiting Professor at NYU;
and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Dr. George L. Williams
served as Chairman of the TONH Historic Landmark Preservation Commission
and as past President of the TONH Historical Society; he was also a
Trustee of Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, and the Village of
Port Washington North Historian and Landmarks Preservation Commissioner;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime of advocacy for the preservation of
Port Washington, Dr. George L. Williams was instrumental in the creation
of the historic preservation section of the TONH's town code, the
creation of Landmark as a community center, and the creation of the
Sandminers Monument on West Shore Road; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he played an integral role in the restoration
and preservation of local cemeteries, as well as in the restoration of
the Dodge Homestead, Roslyn Grist Mill and Roslyn Clock Tower; and

WHEREAS, Dr. George L. Williams published such works as The Papal
Genealogy: The Families and Descendants of the Popes (1998), Fascist
Thought and Totalitarianism in Italy's Secondary Schools: Theory and
Practice, and The Triumph of the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. George L. Williams wrote many articles and
books on local history including, The Mill Pond with Walking Guide,
Lower Main Street A Waterfront Community, Sketchbook of Historic Homes,
and Port Washington in the Twentieth Century: Places and People; and

WHEREAS, Dr. George L. Williams has been the proud recipient of
numerous awards and accolades some of which include the Civic Award for
Outstanding Community Service by the Port Washington Rotary Club and the
Certificate of Appreciation by the Kiwanis Club of North Shore; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Adelia, their three
daughters, and seven grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Dr. George L. Williams, that future generations may know and appreciate
his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. George L. Williams upon the occasion of his designation as the
2017 Citizen of the Year by the Community Chest of Port Washington; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. George L. Williams.