Senate Resolution No. 1900

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Head Start
in Sullivan County and commending Bertha Green
Williams upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition after 50 years of dedicated
service

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
organizations and 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
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Head Start in Sullivan County and
commending Bertha Green Williams upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event will be celebrated at the renaming of
the Woodbourne Head Start to the Bertha Green Williams Early Childhood
Development Center on Friday, May 19, 2017, in Woodbourne, New York; and

WHEREAS, The first Head Start Center in Sullivan County was
established in 1965 under the Community Action Commission to Help the
Economy (C.A.C.H.E.), in conjunction with the County of Sullivan and the
Federal Office of Economic Opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Sullivan County Head Start, Inc. consists of two programs:
Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS); HS is a comprehensive early
childhood development program primarily serving low-income preschool-age
children and their families; EHS is a comprehensive early childhood
program serving primarily low-income children prenatal to age three,
pregnant women and their families; and

WHEREAS, Sullivan County Head Start strives to provide a
comprehensive interdisciplinary program which will foster development,
support school readiness, encourage self-confidence and discipline,
assist in the development of the child's social, emotional and physical
well-being and act as a referral service for the children and families
we serve; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its 50 years of dedicated service to Sullivan
County, Head Start has gone through numerous changes and expansions,
however, the one constant of this vital organization is the Executive
Director, Bertha G. Williams; and

WHEREAS, Bertha G. Williams has been with Head Start since its
beginning, and continues to guide the agency towards its goals with her
great wisdom and belief that if you can conceive it, you can achieve it;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a

long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Head Start in Sullivan County and
commending Bertha Green Williams upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bertha Green Williams, Administrative Executive Director,
Sullivan County Head Start.