Honor Brooklyn Sakura Festival

Senate Resolution No. 4821 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its 37th Annual Sakura Matsuri on April 28, 2018 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its 37th Annual Sakura Matsuri; the spring season and the cherry blossoms will be celebrated at the Opening Ceremony at the Garden on Saturday,

April 28, 2018; and WHEREAS, People from all across the State of New York eagerly anticipate the change of season from winter to spring; the sound of the peepers in the quiet night air, the fresh smell of new green grass, the sweet blossoms of the trees, and the cheerful flowering bulbs that have sprung from the cool brown earth; and WHEREAS, Each year, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is proud to welcome tens of thousands of guests who will revel among the spring flowers, to the Garden for Sakura Matsuri weekend, truly making it "New York City's Rite of Spring"; last year, more than 84,000 individuals visited the spectacular Garden; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an independent nonprofit institution, whose laboratory administration building was unanimously designated a New York City landmark in 2007; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been devoted to research, education, and the display of horticulture since it was first founded in

1910; it consists of 52 acres of land, and has a variety of specialty gardens which houses the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, the Osborne Garden, glass aquatic plant house, an art gallery, climate controlled plant displays, and a famous 500 year-old shogun lantern; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden welcomes over 800,000 visitors annually and houses over 300,000 specimens of plants used for extensive botany research as well as holds 10,000 diverse species of plants in its gardens, and produces publications used for garden design, techniques, and education about invasive plant species while promoting the use of native plants; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Spring Gala is instrumental in supporting its efforts by providing educational programs, which range from adult to children's classes; it also offers numerous internships for students, performs research on plant systematics, and presents its garden to the communities of New York State; and WHEREAS, The success of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is in direct correlation to the efforts of its President, Scot Medbury, and his 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 institution and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its 37th Annual Sakura Matsuri on April 28, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Scot Medbury, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.