Honor Mary Tyler Moore

Senate Resolution No. 589 BY: Senator GOLDEN CELEBRATING the life and career of Mary Tyler Moore, renowned actress, author, beloved wife and America's Sweetheart WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the memory of cherished citizens of the State of New York who distinguished themselves in their profession and whose talent, wit, charm, intellect and unique personality permeated all they did; and WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Mary Tyler Moore, who died on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at the age of 80; her clever and stylish performances on two top-rated television shows in the 1960s and 1970s helped define a new image of American womanhood; and WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore was the oldest of three children born to George and Marjorie (Hackett) Tyler Moore on December 29, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York; she lived on Ocean Parkway in Flatbush, and attended St. Rose of Lima Parochial School until the third grade; after the family moved west to California, she attended Saint Ambrose School in Los Angeles, followed by Immaculate Heart High School in Los Feliz, California; and WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore's excellence as an actress transcended the mediums of television, film, theater and conversation; and WHEREAS, Six time Emmy award-winning actress Mary Tyler Moore, perhaps best known for her comic roles on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" as the frazzled wife Laura Petrie, and as one of television's first career-woman sitcom heroines in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," often broke from stereotypical images of women and pushed gender norms; she became a cultural icon and served as an inspiration for many younger actresses, professional women, and feminists; and WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore also starred on the big screen in 1967s "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and 1980s "Ordinary People," in which she played a role that was very different from the television characters she had portrayed, and for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress; and WHEREAS, A versatile actress, Mary Tyler Moore also appeared on the Great White Way starring in several Broadway plays including Whose Life Is It Anyway, and Sweet Sue; and WHEREAS, In 1955, at the young age of 18, Mary Tyler Moore married Richard Carleton Meeker; on July 3, 1956, their son, Richard Jr. was born; and WHEREAS, In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore and her then husband, Grant Tinker founded MTM Enterprises, Inc.; the enterprise produced "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and several other sitcoms and drama television series such as "Rhoda," "Lou Grant," "Phyllis," "The Bob Newhart Show," "The Texas Wheelers," "WKRP in Cincinnati," "The White Shadow," "Friends and Lovers," and "St. Elsewhere," as well as "Hill Street Blues"; and WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore's life was not without tragedy; she lost her son, Richard Jr. at the young age of 24; she was also diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 1969, and in 2011, had surgery to remove a meningioma, a benign brain tumor; and WHEREAS, After being diagnosed with diabetes, Mary Tyler Moore became a tireless advocate as the International Chairperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; in 2009, she authored the memoir, Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes, where she focused on living with the disease; and WHEREAS, A practicing vegetarian, Mary Tyler Moore was a long-time animal rights activist, supporting charities such as the ASPCA and Farm Sanctuary; she helped raise awareness about factory farming methods and promoted for more compassionate treatment of farm animals; and WHEREAS, A woman who humbly acknowledged her own faults, she penned After All, a memoir describing her struggles with alcohol abuse; and WHEREAS, Accomplished, compassionate, and witty, Mary Tyler Moore was a versatile actress who conquered the worlds of stage, television and film; and WHEREAS, Survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Robert Levine, Mary Tyler Moore will always be remembered as the happy girl who throws her hat into the air to the tune of "Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?"; and WHEREAS, An inspiration to many, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records this tribute to the memory of Mary Tyler Moore, that future generations may know and appreciate her singular talent, admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which she was held; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate and pay tribute to the life of Mary Tyler Moore, whose legendary talent entertained audiences for many decades; she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues and fans across New York State and the Nation; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Robert Levine, husband of Mary Tyler Moore.