Honor VanLeeuwen’s Retirement Service

Senate Resolution No. 2216 BY: Senator LARKIN HONORING Henry VanLeeuwen upon the occasion of his retirement after 45 years of distinguished service to the New Windsor Planning Board WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor 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 Henry VanLeeuwen upon the occasion of his retirement after 45 years of distinguished service to the New Windsor Planning Board; and WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Henry VanLeeuwen, affectionately known as Hank, served the New Windsor Planning Board with intelligence and caring dedication, continuously striving to effectively fulfill the duties of his position; and WHEREAS, Hank VanLeeuwen came to Orange County, New York, from Holland when he was eight years old; he has been a New Windsor resident for more than 50 years; and WHEREAS, With a self-described love of New Windsor, New York State and America, Hank VanLeeuwen spent the majority of his career living the American Dream, and selflessly volunteering his time and talents to a variety of business and community organizations; and WHEREAS, In 1972, Hank VanLeeuwen purchased Arkel Motors where his brother worked as a service manager; and WHEREAS, During this time, Hank VanLeeuwen constructed a new building on Route 32 in New Windsor, where he relocated the company and spent 40 years developing it into the successful truck sales and service enterprise it is today; he retired from Arkel Motors in 2008, and his nephew now runs the bustling business; and WHEREAS, A few years prior to purchasing Arkel Motors, Hank VanLeeuwen joined the New Windsor Planning Board, where he worked tirelessly to provide affordable housing for 45 years; he stepped down from this esteemed position in January of 2017; and WHEREAS, In addition, Hank VanLeeuwen served on the Orange County IDA Board for the past 30 years, where his passion and business insight were instrumental to the organization's success; he contributed to bringing thousands of jobs to Orange County before he retired from his post this year; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Hank VanLeeuwen has provided service to countless local organizations, including the New Windsor Lions Club, where he spent 25 years; the Cornwall Hospital Board, where he spent nine years; the Museum Village Board of Directors, where he spent a total of 13 years; and the Goshen Rotary, where he has served for the past seven years and remains a member today; and WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with whom he worked, Hank VanLeeuwen will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of human problems in his official acts; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Betty Ann, and their three children, as well as five grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Hank VanLeeuwen over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Henry VanLeeuwen upon the occasion of his retirement after 45 years of distinguished service to the New Windsor Planning Board; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Henry VanLeeuwen.