Honor Dr. Williams' Service

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