Senate Resolution No. 341

BY: Senator MARTINS

HONORING Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz upon the
occasion of their 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 Leslie Stern
and Andy Abramowitz, upon the occasion of their 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, Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz met through music, as
fellow drummers in the Brown University Band, where they served as Vice
President and President; it's been a steady "beat" ever since; the
couple relocated to Port Washington in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Stern proudly served on the HEARTS Board for eight
years as Recording Secretary; a former book editor and English teacher,
she changed careers twelve years ago and founded Leslie's Leashes, a dog
walking and pet sitting business serving the North Shore; and

WHEREAS, When not running the business, Leslie Stern is President of
The Shelter Connection, a volunteer organization which assists the Town
of North Hempstead Animal Shelter; in addition to her passion for
animals, she still loves playing the drums and is a member of multiple
rock bands which perform on Long Island and in New York City; and

WHEREAS, While Andy Abramowitz has not picked up his drumsticks
since becoming a father, he continues to champion music and the arts not

only as an audience member for his family's various recitals and
performances but also as the Past President and Board Member of Landmark
on Main Street and Temple Beth Israel; and

WHEREAS, Professionally, Andrew Abramowitz is a corporate and
securities transactional attorney with his own practice; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the decades of their community service, a period
of constructive involvement, Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz have stood
constant in dignity and good grace; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Leslie Stern and Andy
Abramowitz have displayed throughout their lives; 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
Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz, that future generations may know and
appreciate their admirable character, their many benevolent deeds, and
the respect and esteem in which they are held by their peers; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz upon the occasion of their
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 Leslie Stern and Andy Abramowitz.