LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Nancy and Jim Cowles upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award by
the Community Chest of Port Washington

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nancy and Jim
Cowles upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Citi-
zen of the Year Award by the Community Chest of Port Washington, to be
celebrated on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Port Washington Public
Library, Port Washington, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Community Chest of Port Washington is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to improving people's lives through raising funds
for distribution to over 25 local charities; the Citizen of the Year
Award honors those individuals who have devoted a lifetime of service to
their community; and
WHEREAS, Nancy and Jim Cowles, through their many contributions, have
made a significant impact on the health and well-being of the residents
of Port Washington; for many years, they have given not only of their
time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leader-
ship and consequently have been designated for this special honor; and
WHEREAS, A retired school psychologist, Nancy Cowles has consistently
shown a strong commitment to helping others; she has volunteered with
multiple worthy causes including working as a tutor in ESL, reading, and
learning disabilities programs; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Cowles has served on the boards of numerous community
organizations; she was head of a committee to develop a comprehensive
special education plan for the Port Washington School District, and has
been a member of the Child Guidance Association, as well as the Schreib-
er High School Diversity Committee and the student loan and scholarship
committees; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed woman is a former President, Event
Chair, and Board Member of the Community Chest; her efforts have been
vital in the success of the organization throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, Nancy Cowles has held several positions in the League of
Women Voters, and has been named to the Women's Role of Honor by the
Town of North Hempstead; and
WHEREAS, Equally dedicated to improving civic life, Jim Cowles is an
architect who has utilized his skills for the building needs of non-pro-
fit organizations in his community; he currently serves as a member of
the Port Washington Police Department Building Committee and the Board
of Directors of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington; and
WHEREAS, As a coach with the Port Washington Youth Association (PYA),
Jim Cowles led the first soccer team which allowed girls to participate
in league history; he has been committed to advocating for Title IX
practices in schools; and
WHEREAS, Jim Cowles also contributed his time and efforts as member of
the Rotary Club for 23 years; during his term as president, he imple-
mented social programs for the developmentally disabled, raised funds
for local agencies and hosted a foreign exchange student; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Jim Cowles was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the high-
est honor a Rotary International Club can bestow; and
WHEREAS, Together, Nancy and Jim Cowles have each served nine years as
distinguished officers on the Port Washington Board of Education, work-
ing on many important committees and initiatives to improve the quality
of education for the children of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Nancy and Jim Cowles have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which this remarkable couple have displayed
throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nancy and Jim Cowles upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Community Chest of
Port Washington; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nancy and Jim Cowles.