FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               CONTACT: Justin Meyers
October 30, 2007                                                                 (516) 869-7794

TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD AND TONH HOUSING AUTHORITY HONOR MEMORY OF AUTHORITY VICE CHAIRWOMAN ROBERTA NIXON

Manhasset, NY– North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and North Hempstead Housing Authority Chairman Luke Licalzi announced that the Town and Authority would honor the memory and lifelong civic contributions of recently deceased Authority Vice Chairwoman Roberta Nixon by naming the newly renovated Harbor Homes in Port Washington as the Roberta Nixon Houses at Harbor Homes.

“Roberta Nixon devoted her life to the betterment of the residents of her community and Town,” Kaiman said. “It is a fitting tribute that we celebrate her life, and at the same time mourn her passing, by naming these newly renovated houses as a living tribute to her selfless life.”

Chairman Licalzi said: “It was my great pleasure to have known Roberta, and to have served on the same Board with her for so many years. Roberta was a gem of a human being and her contributions will be properly acknowledged by naming these new housing units in her honor.”

Roberta Nixon passed on October 4, 2007. She was born in Port Washington in 1937 and graduated Paul D. Schreiber High School in 1955. As a member of the Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Port Washington at an early age, she held many offices over the years including Steward, Trustee, President of the Biddle Viet Missionary Society, Choir member and Youth Coordinator.

Her passion for community advocacy spanned more than 40 years. She served on the Community Action Council, Nassau County Economic Opportunity Commission, Crescent Civic Center, Littig House, Cow Bay Housing, North Hempstead Housing Authority, Community Chest of Port Washington and Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, Vice Chairman Nixon was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and a devoted member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Surviving Ms. Nixon’s legacy are her three children, Vivian Nixon of Port Washington, William Nixon of Freeport, NY, and Thomas Nixon of Flowery Branch, Georgia; 2 daughters-in-law, Judith and Lori; four grandchildren, Nadia, Alexius, Spencer and Mason; two sisters, Alfreda Wilson of Philadelphia and Llewellyn Simpkins of Port Washington; and one brother, Frederick Biddle, Jr. of Westbury.