Honor The Observer’s Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 4082 BY: Senator O'MARA COMMEMORATING the 140th Anniversary of The Observer WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of The Observer; and WHEREAS, Published continuously for the past 140 years, The Observer is the only locally-owned weekly newspaper in the Finger Lakes area of New York, between Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake; since 1878, the paper has reported on the area's booms and busts, crimes and creativity, births and death and so much more; and WHEREAS, Throughout its history, The Observer has published continuously through the Spanish-American War, two World Wars, the Great Depression, four additional international conflicts, 9/11 and the recession of 2008; and WHEREAS, In January of 1998, George C. Lawson purchased The Observer; a former publisher, chief executive officer and group publisher of three daily newspapers in the northeast, he also served as an executive with Gannett newspapers in New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and his hometown of Rockford, Illinois; after the purchase, George and his family moved to the Finger Lakes area; and WHEREAS, The award winning paper employs nine area staffers, and has offices in Dundee and Penn Yan, New York; the media business also owns the Watkins Glen REVIEW&EXPRESS; and WHEREAS, George C. Lawson proudly runs the business along with his wife, Debra, who serves as the business manager for both newspapers, and his son, Brandon, an award-winning photographer who manages many parts of the business; Brandon also played a key role in developing The Observer's online edition at www.observer-review.com; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role at the paper, George C. Lawson has served as an Executive Board Member for the Boy Scouts of America, Finger Lakes Council, a Trustee for the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, and President of both the New York Press Association and the Dundee Rotary Club; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community, George C. Lawson has been named a James E. West Fellow from the Boy Scouts Foundation and a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Foundation; and WHEREAS, The Observer, now 140 years old, has kept the citizens of both Keuka and Seneca Lake informed and enlightened about their communities that command their interest and shape their lives; it presents news, opinions, and feature stories of paramount interest to residents of the Finger Lakes region; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of George C. Lawson, The Observer continues to maintain a high quality and relevant newspaper, and delivers a superior product to all of its readers, as well as serves as an expressive voice to the people of his community by providing a platform for all members of the community; and WHEREAS, Our newspapers provide a tremendous service to citizens across the State of New York by keeping them informed about current events; the democracy of our State and Nation is strengthened by a responsible citizenry which is actively engaged in reading and kept abreast of news affecting their lives; and WHEREAS, As The Observer moves into the future, it carries with it the legacy of a distinguished journalistic history and an outstanding record of growth and achievement, 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 140th Anniversary of The Observer; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to George C. Lawson, President and Publisher, The Observer.