Honor Joan Echausse's Service

Senate Resolution No. 712 BY: Senator KAPLAN CONGRATULATING Joan Echausse upon the occasion of being inducted into the 26th 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 Joan Echausse upon the occasion of being inducted into the 26th 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, to be celebrated with a breakfast on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at Harbor Links Golf Course, Port Washington, New York; and WHEREAS, Since 1994, North Hempstead has held the Women's Roll of Honor breakfast to honor women who have made a contribution to their community, or have accomplished a significant achievement through public or private efforts; Joan Echausse is one such woman; and WHEREAS, Joan Echausse has lived her entire 84-year life in the Town of North Hempstead; born in Great Neck in 1934, she learned at an early age the importance of faith, family, and service; these three ideals have led her to do many good things for people throughout her life; and WHEREAS, Her father, Joseph Crampton, and mother, Mary, were active in the Great Neck community and Joan Echausse credits them with instilling in her a sense of pride in her community and that serving others is very important; and WHEREAS, Since Joan Echausse and her late husband, Paul, moved to Westbury, some 60 years ago, she has devoted countless hours to St. Brigid's Church and its surrounding community; she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and was elected to the Parish Council; and WHEREAS, Being a mother of eight, Joan Echausse still found time to teach religion at both St. Aidan's and St. Francis de Chantal in Wantagh; she was always one to say, 'Yes', whenever there was a need; and WHEREAS, This is evidenced by her volunteerism in St. Brigid's Parish Outreach Program; through this program, Joan Echausse assisted countless families in Westbury, mostly in New Cassel, by making sure they had clothes and food and a warm place to live during the winter; and WHEREAS, Thanksgiving was a busy time for Joan Echausse because she collected countless turkeys from people throughout the community and made sure that less fortunate families had a decent Thanksgiving; and WHEREAS, This remarkable woman followed through during Christmastime, as well, to ensure that these same people had presents for their children; Joan also ran the food bank at St. Brigid's for many years and, at 84, continues to work there today; and WHEREAS, Not only does Joan Echausse care about her community, but supports other individuals struggling on the outer fringes of the community; recently, she drove to a local motel in the neighboring town to drop off hot food to a homeless mother and her three children; and WHEREAS, Joan Echausse is a person who teaches by example; to be in her presence, one realizes that the talents and gifts that we have should be shared in order to make the lives of people around us better; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Joan Echausse has displayed throughout her life; 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 Joan Echausse upon the occasion of being inducted into the 26th 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 Joan Echausse.