Senate Resolution No. 689

BY: Senator KAPLAN

CONGRATULATING Ann Tountas upon the occasion of
being inducted into the 28th Annual May W. Newburger
Women's Roll of Honor by the Town of North
Hempstead, in conjunction with the observance of
Women's History Month

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those women of achievement within this great Empire State
who have made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire
others through their model citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Ann Tountas upon the occasion of being inducted into the
28th Annual May W. Newburger Women's Roll of Honor by the Town of North
Hempstead, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month;
and

WHEREAS, Since 1994, the Town of North Hempstead has honored women
who have made a contribution to their community, or have accomplished a
significant achievement through public or private efforts; Ann Tountas
is one such woman; and

WHEREAS, Ann Tountas' volunteer efforts in the Herricks community
began in the early 1980's and have continued into the present; her first
major contributions focused on addressing the tensions which arose as
demographic changes became increasingly clear to residents, The Herricks
community, traditionally a Euro-centered immigrant group, faced a
challenge as new residents of Asian and South Asian ancestry moved into
Herricks in increasingly large numbers; and

WHEREAS, During this period, Ann Tountas was active in the Denton
Avenue School PTA, serving as vice-president and later as president; she
saw the challenge presented by cultural diversity and recommended
decisive action that would build sustainable structures to unite the
community; this is when she became one of the founding members of the
Herricks Community Coalition, a group composed of residents, school
officials, business representatives, clergy and other community groups,
including the Scouts; she also joined the Herricks Community Fund,
volunteering in leadership positions, including president; and

WHEREAS, For over 40 years of residency in the Town of North
Hempstead, Ann Tountas has been engaged in the fiber of the community;
the quality of life for residents of all ages and backgrounds in
Herricks has been surely been made better by the volunteer efforts of
Ann and so many others who joined in the Community Coalition and
Community Fund; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Ann Tountas upon the occasion of being inducted into the
28th Annual May W. Newburger Women's Roll of Honor by the Town of North
Hempstead, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ann Tountas.