Honor Empire Recycling’s Centennial

Senate Resolution No. 344 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Empire Recycling Corporation on October 27, 2016 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those corporate enterprises throughout the State of New York which have substantially contributed to the economic vitality of their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Empire Recycling Corporation which was celebrated on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Historic Hotel Utica, Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1916, before the importance of recycling was recognized, Empire Recycling Corporation's creators, Robert, Morton and Louis Kowalsky, believed that simple items such as rags, paper and metals could be re-used; and WHEREAS, William Kowalsky joined Empire Recycling Corporation in the late 1940s, and Charles Weitzman in the late 1950s; William eventually became company president, serving until he passed away in 1981; Weitzman then served as president until his retirement in 1990; and WHEREAS, Today, recycling's impact on the environment is making a healthier, more industrious place for us to live, and Empire's services and commitment are a tremendous component in making that happen; and WHEREAS, Continuing in the family tradition, Steven Kowalsky now serves as president of this vital and growing company with his brother Ed serving as executive vice president; under the brothers' leadership, Empire has acquired four other companies and recently completed acquisition of a fifth in the Binghamton, New York area; and WHEREAS, Empire Recycling Corporation has expanded throughout the last 100 years to include recycling of all types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic recycling, and confidential document destruction through its Confidata division as well as non-confidential paper recycling through its SMR Fibre division; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 100 year history, Empire Recycling Corporation has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of Empire Recycling Corporation is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Empire Recycling Corporation; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges the Empire Recycling Corporation's contributions to the local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to this corporate enterprise, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling success it has enjoyed thus far; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Empire Recycling Corporation on