Honor 100th Birthday Milestone

Senate Resolution No. 2082 BY: Senator O'MARA CONGRATULATING Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager upon the occasion of his 100th Birthday to be celebrated at a party held in his honor on Thursday, May 18, 2017; and WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager was born on May 17, 1917, in Renovo, Pennsylvania, to Susan Bartholomew and Henry Hager; and WHEREAS, After the death of his father in 1932, Harold S. Hager and his family moved to Avis, Pennsylvania, and later, to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1936; during high school, he was the cheerleader, the guy with the megaphone who not only announced the great plays on the football field, but also kept the crowd entertained with his hilarious antics between plays; and WHEREAS, After graduation, Harold S. Hager "rode the rails," hopping on freight cars in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, looking for fun, adventure, and employment in the Corning/Elmira, New York, area; he eventually moved to Corning, and worked as a cook in several local restaurants; and WHEREAS, In 1939, Harold S. Hager began working in production with Corning Glass Works; in that same year, he married the love of his life, Anna Elizabeth Hamman; together, the couple raised their son, John Robert; and WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager was promoted to the title of Melting Foreman in 1957, and was one of the first people to move to the Corning Glass Works Research Facility in Erwin Sullivan Science Park in 1961; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Harold S. Hager retired from Corning Glass Works after 35 years of dedicated service; for the next 12 years, he continued to work at the company as a contract employee in his former position; in

2014, he received his 75 year honorarium from Corning Chairman, Wendell Weeks; and WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager then went to work as a groundskeeper at Indian Hills Golf Course, and a maintenance person for the former Hungerford Corporation and its successor JK Peris, Inc.; this hardworking man also spent over a year working in a convenience store owned by his son; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Harold S. Hager has graciously volunteered his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity and ReStore for many years; for the past six years, he has worked approximately three to four days a week, six to eight hours a day; and WHEREAS, At the age of 100, Harold S. Hager has been instrumental in the success of ReStore; he can often be found with a warm smile on his face, telling jokes to the staff and customers; he helps keep the store organized by sorting and testing the numerous donations, and ensuring every single nut and bolt is bagged neatly and priced correctly before being displayed on the floor; and WHEREAS, In addition to his work with Habitat for Humanity and ReStore, Harold S. Hager has held several offices in the masonic fraternity, and has worked with the local food pantry and the facilities corporation of the United Church of Painted Post; and WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager, with his zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and WHEREAS, This distinguished man has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to savor a full life; and WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager has enriched the lives of those around him through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager.