J 342: Honoring Susan Geffken Burton upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by HEARTS Port Washington on February 7, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 342 BY: Senator MARTINS HONORING Susan Geffken Burton upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by HEARTS Port Washington on February 7, 2025 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are assets beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Susan Geffken Burton, upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by HEARTS Port Washington, to be recognized at its Annual Red Party at the Polish American Hall in Port Washington, New York, on Friday, February 7, 2025; and WHEREAS, HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts of Port Washington) is an independent, grassroots not-for-profit 501(c)3 community organization whose mission is to add meaningful value to children's lives and our community by supporting, promoting, and enriching the arts in Port Washington and its public schools; and WHEREAS, Since its founding in 2011, HEARTS has funded more than 180 grants district-wide, as well as scholarships for art and music students for college; the non-profit also provides interactive high-quality programming in theater, music, fine arts, creative writing, dance, and much more; and WHEREAS, HEARTS has created PortFest, a community art and music festival celebrating arts in Port Washington, as well as Curtains Up, an after-school musical theater program for elementary school students; and WHEREAS, The organization also created Dancing Classrooms, which is a partnership with the Creative Arts Department, HSA/PTAs, The Ed. Foundation, and the Port Washington Summer Music Program; and WHEREAS, In 2013, Susan Geffken Burton commenced her career in Port Washington Schools as a teaching artist, and in 2018, she obtained her dream job of teaching students from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade through her work as the Primary Visual Arts Teacher at John J. Daly Elementary School; her teaching practice explores multiple artforms, including drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, sculpture, and clay, as well as other mixed-media creations with deep exploration in self-awareness and cultural connections through art; and WHEREAS, Susan Geffken Burton leads the Art Club for students in the 4th and 5th grades; this club is an after-school art program which utilizes unique materials and art-making processes; she also oversees the annual 5th-grade Legacy Project, guiding students to create large-scale murals, mosaic installations, and other specially-themed graduation projects; and WHEREAS, Prior to her work in Port Washington, Susan Geffken Burton taught art classes at St. Dominic's High School in Oyster Bay; at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, she led outdoor art programs, combining nature, ecology, and the arts; she also instructed art for South Huntington School's Summer Art and Music program; and WHEREAS, Susan Geffken Burton has also led a private teaching practice, featuring portfolio instruction, decorative painting, and canvas paintings; she is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts (BFA) and Long Island University CW Post campus (MS); and WHEREAS, Beyond the classroom, Susan Geffken Burton is proudly married to her husband of 30 years, Ken, and has two wonderful sons; she is grateful to be part of such an amazing school district which also supports the creative arts in so many ways; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years of her community service, a period of constructive involvement, Susan Geffken Burton has stood constant in dignity and good grace; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals for the benefit of others which Susan Geffken Burton has displayed throughout her life; 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 Susan Geffken Burton, that future generations may know and appreciate her admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Susan Geffken Burton upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by HEARTS Port Washington on February 7, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Susan Geffken Burton.