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.