Congratulating Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

Senate Resolution No. 726 BY: Senator BONACIC CONGRATULATING Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and WHEREAS, Born on March 25, 1917, Annette Chait met and married her husband of 58 years, the late Maxwell Finestone, in 1953; together the couple ran her family's business, Chait's Hotel, for more than 25 years; and WHEREAS, Upon selling the hotel business in 1978, Annette Chait's husband found a bag containing rolls of her old film from Japan while rummaging through old items; she had taken a job in Nagoya, Japan, in

1945, a short time after the bombing of Hiroshima; and WHEREAS, The Japan that Annette Finestone came upon less than six months after its destruction and surrender, was entirely foreign from her own experience growing up on her father's Chait's Hotel property outside of Accord, New York; and WHEREAS, These forgotten photos of street scenes capturing the devastation of 1940s Japan have since been displayed throughout local art exhibits and inspired Annette Finestone to continue to take photographs; she attended SUNY Ulster and spent five or six years taking courses and developing film; and WHEREAS, Annette Finestone currently resides at the Woodland Pond Retirement Center in New Paltz, where she recently took part in "One Billion Rising", a worldwide mass action event intended to mobilize people to end violence against women; she has been a staunch advocate all her life for such causes as women's rights and racial equality; and WHEREAS, Annette Finestone, with her zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; she is the loving mother of two daughters, Laura and Lisa, and a son-in-law, David, as well as the adoring grandmother of her two grandchildren, Eva and Michael; and WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to savor a full life; and WHEREAS, Annette Finestone has enriched the lives of those around her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Annette Finestone.