LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James A. Marshall upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award by
the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, on February 27, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
James A. Marshall upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the Chamber's Annual
Awards Dinner, to be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Samuel's
Grande Manor, Williamsville, New York; and
WHEREAS, Educator and nature enthusiast James A. Marshall is being
celebrated for his legacy of institutionalizing outdoor education for
the Clarence, New York community; and
WHEREAS, James A. Marshall completed a Bachelor of Science degree at
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1967, after which he served for
four years in the United States Air Force as a Titan II missile engi-
neer; upon his discharge, he completed a master's degree in Education at
the University of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, James A. Marshall began his 38-year education career at
Clarence High School in 1972, teaching many courses, including Regents
and Honors Biology, Wilderness Wise, General and Regents Chemistry,
Living Environment I and II; and
WHEREAS, James A. Marshall's commitment to providing everyone the
opportunity to experience the wonders of nature inspired the development
of formal outdoor education courses and programs; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, the Science Club evolved into the Wilderness Wise
Outdoor Education class, in which students learned survival skills in
the outdoors, their final exam consisting of a weeklong trip to the
Adirondack Mountains; in the Living Environment Class, a two-year
program designed to help some of Clarence's most academically challenged
students pass the Regents exams, seniors from the Wilderness Wise class
mentored freshman students in Life Skills and Wilderness trips where
students learned to apply survival skills in the wilderness as well as
in life; and
WHEREAS, James A. Marshall also served as the liaison between the
Clarence schools and the Town of Clarence in the development of the
Clarence Nature Center, tirelessly serving as both salesman and ambassa-
dor to bring the center into fruition; and
WHEREAS, James A. Marshall retired from teaching in 2010; he now
spends countless hours at the Clarence Nature Center as a volunteer
co-coordinator, having provided an outdoor classroom for thousands of
Clarence students, hundreds of Clarence residents, and multitudes of
Clarence community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, James A. Marshall has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which James A. Marshall has displayed
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor James A. Marshall upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-

ent of the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of
Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James A. Marshall.