Senate Resolution No. 5058

BY: Senator LITTLE

HONORING Matthew A. Rozell upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2018 Good Scout
Award by the Boy Scouts of America on May 10, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in 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 honor
Matthew A. Rozell upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2018 Good Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America, to be celebrated
at an event on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at the Great Escape Lodge in
Queensbury, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award is bestowed upon individuals who
exemplify, in daily life, the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America, as
expressed in the Scout Oath and Law; the recipients are chosen for their
outstanding community service through leadership, as well as for the
respect and esteem in which their colleagues hold them; Matthew A.
Rozell is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, An acclaimed history teacher and author, Matthew A. Rozell
is widely recognized as a well-known authority on World War II and the
Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell was born to Tony and Mary Rozell, both of
whom were educators in the Glens Falls, New York area; and

WHEREAS, After earning his degree from SUNY Geneseo, Matthew A.
Rozell began his long and distinguished career as an educator with St.
Mary's Academy in Glens Falls; in 1987, he became a history teacher for
Hudson Falls High School, his alma mater; and

WHEREAS, Two years later, Matthew A. Rozell married his college
sweetheart, Laura, who also worked as a teacher; together, the couple
raised three children; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
students, Matthew A. Rozell was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including the 2012 Medal for Education by NSDAR Founders, and
the 2010 History Teacher of the Year Award by the Organization of
American Historians; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Matthew A. Rozell is a United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow and has helped that institution acquire
original photographs, artwork, and letters relating to the Holocaust;
and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Matthew A. Rozell earned a scholarship for intense
study at Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance
Authority; in that same year, he received the New York State Education

Department's highest award for teaching about the Holocaust and human
rights; during this special occasion, he was honored to sit in the
chancellor's chair and address the commissioner and the New York State
Board of Regents on the importance of the teaching and learning of
history; and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell has written four books and his great work
as an educator at Hudson Falls High School has been showcased nationally
and internationally; he has been featured as the "ABC World News Person
of the Week" and his teaching experiences have been filmed for the "CBS
Evening News", NBC Learn, the Israeli Broadcast Authority, the United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the New York State United
Teachers; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to preserving the horrors and triumphs of the
Holocaust, Matthew A. Rozell reunited over 275 Holocaust survivors with
their actual American soldier-liberators, which was described in his
2016 book, A Train Near Magdeburg; and

WHEREAS, A documentary featuring Matthew A. Rozell and his students
was broadcast on Israeli state television, and in 2015, the iconic
liberation photograph that he brought to light (after interviewing World
War II liberators) was the backdrop for the state Holocaust
commemoration ceremonies in Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of the end
of World War II, with the Israeli Knesset, President, and Prime Minister
in attendance; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his valuable work as a purveyor of history,
Matthew A. Rozell has worked as an avocational archeologist under Dr.
David Starbuck for 20 years; during the summers, he served as a guide at
several colonial British military fortifications; in this capacity, he
led students to discover things like the smallpox hospital on Rogers
Island, the west curtain wall of the original Fort Edward, the east and
west barracks on the Fort William Henry parade ground, and the nearly
intact colonial trading post just south of Fort Edward; and

WHEREAS, After a long and rewarding teaching career, Matthew A.
Rozell's last formal day of work was in June of 2017; in his much
deserved retirement, Matthew enjoys spending time with his family at his
home on 64 acres of land in Washington County; and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell also continues to write; he has two more
books slated for release in 2018 for his book series, The Things Our
Fathers Saw-The Untold Stories of the World War II Generation from
Hometown, USA; and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell is a man of great intelligence and
wisdom, and has always strived to make a difference by devoting his life
to educating others about the atrocities of the Holocaust and the
meritorious veterans of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozzell prides himself on being a good teacher
who always strived to be a vessel of humanity for people all over the
world; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife, Laura, and
their three children, Emma, Ned and Mary, all of whom have shown him
love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and


WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell's dedication to his community and to
scouting has had a lasting impact on the greater Hudson Falls community;
and

WHEREAS, Matthew A. Rozell has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of Hudson Falls, as well as on the community-at-large, and
accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impressive
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Matthew A. Rozell upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2018 Good Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America on
May 10, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Matthew A. Rozell.