Bill Text: NY J03076 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Executive Director Billy Easton upon the occasion of his retirement after 14 years of distinguished service to Alliance for Quality Education

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-31 - ADOPTED [J03076 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03076-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 3076

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

        HONORING  Executive Director Billy Easton upon the
        occasion  of  his  retirement  after  14  years   of
        distinguished   service   to  Alliance  for  Quality
        Education

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize  and
commend those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted  themselves  to  faithfully  serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Executive  Director  Billy  Easton  upon  the occasion of his retirement
after 14 years of distinguished service  to  the  Alliance  for  Quality
Education; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2020, the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) will be
marking its 20th Anniversary of advocating for  parents,  families,  and
students;  remaining  true  to  its  mission, this vital organization is
committed to education and racial justice, working to  ensure  that  all
children  and  families  have  access  to high quality public schools in
every neighborhood; and

  WHEREAS, Under Billy Easton's leadership, AQE played an instrumental
role in winning a Foundation Aid formula designed  to  distribute  state
school  aid  based on student need in response the landmark Campaign for
Fiscal Equity lawsuit in 2007;  he  drove  AQE  campaigns  on  equitable
school  funding,  reforms  to Code of Conduct and school climate, school
governance, revenues to fund schools, opposition to privatization, among
many other areas; and

  WHEREAS, Billy Easton served as Executive Director of AQE from  2005
until  2019;  a  former  neighborhood, union and tenants' organizer, his
expertise  in  everything  from  policy  development  and  advocacy   to
campaigns  and communications has helped build the organization into the
leading statewide community-based advocacy group on public education  it
is today; and

  WHEREAS, During his 14 years, Billy Easton has led AQE to expand its
organizing  capacity  and  spearhead  local  and  statewide campaigns on
equitable school funding, and reforms to Codes of Conduct,  as  well  as
school  climate,  school  governance,  revenues  to  fund  schools,  and
opposition to privatization; and

  WHEREAS, Under Billy Easton's direction, AQE has established  itself
as  a  leader  in the State of New York, bringing the voices of parents,
families, and students to the forefront; with Billy Easton at the  helm,
the Alliance for Quality Education established itself as a leader in New
York State, bringing the voices of parents and students to the forefront
to  demand  that  every child has an excellent education no matter their
race or zip code; and

  WHEREAS, During  his  tenure  with  AQE,  Billy  Easton  earned  the
admiration,  esteem  and  affection  of his colleagues for his exemplary
advocacy; he was twice selected by City & State magazine as a member  of
Albany's  Power  100; he has written opinion and analysis pieces for The
New York Times, The Nation, VUE,(Voices in Urban Education, published by
Annenberg  Institute  for  School  Reform  at  Brown  University),  Time
Magazine, Buffalo  News,  Newsday,  Rochester  Democrat  and  Chronicle,
Albany Times-Union, and other publications; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to  his  work  with  AQE,  Billy  Easton  served as
neighborhood organizer, the Executive Director of a  statewide  tenants'
rights  coalition, union organizer and worked as a fundraising canvasser
and electoral organizer for an environmental organization; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  that  those  who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained  commitment  to  the  maintenance  of  high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and  applause  of  all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor  Executive  Director  Billy  Easton  upon  the  occasion  of   his
retirement after 14 years of distinguished service, and to wish him well
in all his future endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Executive Director Billy Easton.