Honor Alan Gerry for Arts

Assembly Resolution No. 1379 BY: M. of A. Gunther COMMENDING Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Catskill Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala, celebrating the visual and performing arts 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, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those distinguished individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Catskill Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala, celebrating the visual and performing arts on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at the Beaverkill Valley Inn in Livingston Manor, New York; and WHEREAS, Alan Gerry is a cable-television pioneer, entrepreneur and former Chairman and CEO of Cablevision Industries Corporation, which he founded in 1956, in his hometown of Liberty, New York; at the time CVI merged with Time Warner, Inc., in 1996, it was the largest privately held cable company in the United States; and WHEREAS, In 1996, Alan Gerry established the Gerry Foundation, which supports health care and medical research, education, and economic revitalization in Sullivan County, and the surrounding region; 10 years later, he built the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on the original

1969 Woodstock Festival site; and WHEREAS, Since its opening in 2006, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has served almost three million visitors and provided creative learning experiences for tens of thousands of children and families; it has truly blossomed into a cherished world-class cultural center where the beauty and proud heritage of Sullivan County are intertwined into a testament to the power of music to produce a cultural awakening; and WHEREAS, The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will proudly host the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Woodstock celebration, which represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire every generation with live performances, history, and the expressive spirit of the arts; and WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression of the soul; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals 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 Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Catskill Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala, celebrating the visual and performing arts; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Alan Gerry.