R-267 Page 1 of 1
2024
No. R-267. House concurrent resolution congratulating Esta Broutsas Smith of
Brattleboro on her centennial birthday.
(H.C.R.202)
Offered by: Representatives Burke of Brattleboro, Kornheiser of Brattleboro, and Toleno of Brattleboro Offered by: Senators Harrison and Hashim Whereas, the citizens of Brattleboro are well acquainted with the Broutsas family: the late Michael Broutsas, a veteran State representative, was the first Vermont legislator born in Greece; and his daughter, Esta Broutsas Smith, has contributed in many ways to the quality of life in Brattleboro, and Whereas, Esta Broutsas was born in January 1924 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and her family moved to Brattleboro shortly after her birth, and Whereas, although she started kindergarten unable to speak English, as a teacher for over half a century, Esta Broutsas Smith maximized the reading ability of many students,
even those with learning challenges, and Whereas, at 19 years of age, Esta Broutsas became the sole teacher at a one-room schoolhouse in Guilford; for many years, she was a special educator at the Green Street School in Brattleboro; and, although she concluded her career as a full-time teacher at 75
years of age, her career in education continued as she volunteered to assist prisoners in the improvement of their reading skills, and Whereas, the arts are important in her life, and she frequently attended drama and music performances at local venues, and, even today, she remains a regular virtual attendee, and Whereas, her love of outdoor recreation and her appreciation for Vermont’s natural beauty were exemplified through daily road or woods hikes, cross-country skiing, and avidly playing tennis until she reached 90 years of age, and Whereas, Esta Broutsas Smith’s strong sense of justice complemented the humanitarian values of the Unitarian Universalist Church, her spiritual home, and Whereas, she has resided in the same house since 1956, situated on the farm with the large red barn that her father purchased in 1928, and Whereas, Esta Broutsas Smith’s active lifestyle, healthy diet, continuing interest in the surrounding world, and her large, supportive extended family, have all contributed to her life’s reaching the century milestone, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly congratulates Esta Broutsas Smith of Brattleboro on her centennial birthday, and be it further Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Esta Broutsas Smith.
VT LEG #376187 v.1