Honor Tom Dee’s Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 5416 BY: Senator JACOBS CONGRATULATING Tom Dee upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of dedicated service as President of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation 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 congratulate Tom Dee upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of dedicated service as President of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation; and WHEREAS, Tom Dee currently serves as President of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), an organization in Buffalo dedicated to the revitalization of the city's waterfront, working to make Canalside and the Outer Harbor a leading symbol of the New Buffalo; he will officially retire from this esteemed position on Friday, June 29, 2018; and WHEREAS, For nearly five decades, Tom Dee has been a dedicated and valuable leader of the ECHDC team and a tireless champion for Buffalo's waterfront; he has worked with his staff to transform Canalside from a bleak brownfield site into the vibrant and attractive destination it is today; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Tom Dee has been instrumental in the truly remarkable transformation of the waterfront which includes programming and the construction of multiple Canalside projects now attracting more than 1.5 million people each year; and WHEREAS, The Commercial Slip, Connecting Terminal Grain Elevator Lighting, Boardwalk, the Historically Aligned Canals, One Canalside, Queen City Bike Ferry and Harborcenter are among the many waterfront success stories established under the able leadership of Tom Dee; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, on the Outer Harbor, visitors are enjoying Buffalo Harbor State Park, Wilkeson Pointe, numerous trails, and upgraded boating facilities; and WHEREAS, As a native Buffalonian, Tom Dee shares all Western New Yorker's love and pride for the waterfront and its importance in the city's history; he counts the success of Canalside as a highlight of his nearly 50-year career; and WHEREAS, The success of ECHDC is in direct correlation to the efforts of Tom Dee, 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 organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, In his capacity as President, Tom Dee served with loyalty, honor and distinction, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Rosanne, who has shown him love and support and rejoices in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Tom Dee over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Tom Dee upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of dedicated service as President of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, and to wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Tom Dee.