Honor Elaine Grossinger Etess

Senate Resolution No. 2362 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMENDING Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the occasion of her induction into the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame on June 24, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those distinguished citizens who devote their time and energies to the service of their community and profession, participating in civic affairs and enhancing the character and quality of life for all citizens; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the occasion of her induction into the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame to be celebrated at its

2017 Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at the Liberty Central High School, Liberty, New York; and WHEREAS, The Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame was created by the Board of Education as a way to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the graduates of the school district and the daughters and sons of its community; and WHEREAS, A member of the Class of 1945, Elaine Grossinger Etess is a vital member of the Liberty community and its history; her family owned and operated the Grossingers Hotel and Country Club, one of the most famous hotels in the country; and WHEREAS, In 1914, Harry and Jennie Grossinger founded Harry Grossinger's Resort and Country Club in the scenic Catskill Mountains; it started as a summer boardinghouse which featured kosher cuisine, however, by the end of World War II, it had become a 600-room, 812-acre facility which attracted approximately 300,000 guests each year; and WHEREAS, Today, Grossingers may be most widely recognized as the inspiration for Kellerman's Mountain Resort in the 1987 film "Dirty Dancing"; and WHEREAS, After Jennie Grossinger's death in 1972, her daughter, Elaine Grossinger Etess and her son, Paul Grossinger assumed ownership of the resort; under their luminous leadership, the resort reached its height of success; in 1985, the family sold the resort to a group of New York City investors; and WHEREAS, A successful business woman in her own right, Elaine Grossinger Etess has served as the President of her own company, Elaine G. Etess Associates since 1985; and WHEREAS, From 1990-2014, Elaine Grossinger Etess held the title of Director of Hospitality at Forest Trace, a resort retirement community in Lauderhill, Florida; and WHEREAS, Elaine Grossinger Etess was the first woman to be elected an officer of The American Hotel and Lodging Association, holding the position of President in 1989, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in

1990; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to the hospitality industry, Elaine Grossinger Etess was selected as the 1991 Woman of the Year by the Executive Women of Hospitality, and the 1992 Executive of the Year by the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society; and WHEREAS, Elaine Grossinger Etess was also the recipient of the Doris L. Crockett Distinguished Service Award by Russell Sage College, the Sullivan County Business & Professional Woman of the Year Award, and the Lawson A. Odde Award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Quality through Diversity conference for her contribution of promoting diversity and diversity management through the hospitality industry; and WHEREAS, In addition to her luminous leadership at the hotel, Elaine Grossinger Etess was a leading figure in Liberty Central School District's education system; for 15 years, she served on the Liberty Board of Education, and was the Chairman of the Education Program Committee of the New York State School Boards Association; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Elaine Grossinger Etess has been a participant of the Board of Trustees of both Russell Sage College and Sullivan County Community College; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and community service, a period of constructive involvement, Elaine Grossinger Etess stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and community, and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the occasion of her induction into the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame on June 24, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Elaine Grossinger Etess.