Assembly Resolution No. 152
BY: M. of A. Norris
HONORING James A. Powers upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achiever
Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce on March
9, 2023
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those distinguished citizens who would devote their life's work
and purpose to community service, contributing to the welfare of the
citizens of their communities and this great Empire State; 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. Powers upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Lifetime Achiever Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, to be
celebrated at its 50th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 9, 2023,
at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence, New York; and
WHEREAS, James A. Powers is receiving this prestigious award for his
steadfast and unremitting commitment to his beloved community of
Clarence; and
WHEREAS, In service to his community, James A. Powers was a member
of the Clarence Board of Education for 21 years, including 15 years as
Board President; during that period, he helped guide the board and
district through significant changes in school population; he was also
active with the Regional and State School Board Association; in 2007 he
was inducted into the Clarence High School Wall of Fame for his
contributions to the Clarence School District; and
WHEREAS, For two years, James A. Powers gave of his time to operate
as the hands-on local project manager for the construction and opening
of a house for 26 homeless veterans in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, He and his wife are members of the Nativity of B.V.M
Parish, where Jim has served on numerous parish committees; and
WHEREAS, James A. Powers served as President of the Clarence
Community Food Pantry Board of Directors from 2005 to 2022; this food
pantry was the Clarence Chamber of Commerce's Organization of the Year
in 2012; and
WHEREAS, When youth soccer came to Clarence in the 70's, Jim got
involved, first as a coach of house and travel league teams, and then as
President of the Soccer Club; due to the explosive growth of the sport,
he conceived the idea of a large complex of fields and facilities and
led the project to bring the idea to fruition as the Clarence Soccer
Center, using local contractors and parental volunteers; and
WHEREAS, James A. Powers served for 27 years as a weekly volunteer
reader for the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service which uses radio
and the internet to bring print material such as books, magazines, and
newspapers, to thousands of blind and visually impaired individuals in
Western New York and Southern Ontario; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kathleen, and
children, Kevin, Amy, and Mark, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence 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 James A. Powers upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to James A. Powers.
