Bill Text: NY J00342 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-02-11 - ADOPTED [J00342 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00342-Introduced.html

---

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.