LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lavinia Smith upon the occasion of being
selected as the Westchester County 2014 Senior Citizen of the Year by
the New York State Office for the Aging

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lavinia Smith
upon the occasion of being selected as the Westchester County 2014
Senior Citizen of the Year; this momentous occasion will be celebrated
at the New York State Office for the Aging's 2014 Senior Citizens Day
Celebration on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at the Hart Theatre Lounge in the
Egg, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Each May in the State of New York and across the Nation,
during National Older Americans Month, the New York State Office for the
Aging pauses to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by older
citizens; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, members of the older generation have helped
build and shape our Nation to be the greatest in the world; they have
defended our freedoms and values to ensure that those who come after
them may have better lives; nowhere in the nation is the legacy of their
efforts more visible and more a part of the lives of all citizens than
here in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Smith, a very active and industrious woman, has
inspired and enriched the lives of her family and friends through her
love and respect for others, generously sharing the wisdom gained over
years of experiencing life to its fullest; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Mount Vernon, New York since 1965, Lavinia
Smith was born and raised in Harlem 91 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Smith earned a master's degree from Teacher's College
at Columbia University in 1947, and was an elementary school teacher for
more than two decades; in addition, she served as a guidance counselor
for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Smith has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, A steadfast volunteer for 26 years, Lavinia Smith has dedi-
cated her life to improving the lives of the children within her commu-
nity; she has been a literacy mentor in the Mount Vernon City School
District where she currently volunteers at two different schools, as
well as at the local library as part of a summer reading program; and
WHEREAS, A founding member of the Rapping Grannies, an intergenera-
tional choir of senior citizens and middle school students established
by the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau in 1990, Lavinia Smith continues to
perform with the group weekly; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Lavinia Smith is a senior advocate for Communi-
ties that Cares Coalition, a senior representative for the Mount Vernon
Youth Bureau's Intergenerational Programs, and a board member of Sister
to Sister, International; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Lavinia Smith has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Lavinia Smith has displayed through-
out her life; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her loving son and her two
beautiful grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her
life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and commend those who have witnessed and contributed to the devel-
opments and achievements of our Nation, State, and communities over the
course of their noteworthy lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lavinia Smith upon the occasion of being selected as the Westches-
ter County 2014 Senior Citizen of the Year by the New York State Office
for the Aging; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lavinia Smith.