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.