Senate Resolution No. 2459

BY: Senator WALCZYK

CONGRATULATING Garrett Phelps upon the occasion of
being named the National Grange Youth Ambassador on
November 17, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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
organizations and 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
congratulate Garrett Phelps upon the occasion of being named the
National Grange Youth Ambassador on November 17, 2023; and

WHEREAS, The National Grange, founded in 1867, is a nonpartisan,
fraternal organization which advocates for rural America and
agriculture; it provides its members with the opportunity to serve their
neighborhoods through community service projects that make a difference
in the lives of citizens; and

WHEREAS, The National Grange Youth Program is designed to provide
leadership training and life skills training opportunities; the goals of
the National Grange Youth Development department include providing
leadership training through a variety of opportunities such as: regional
conferences, ambassador programs, the John Trimble Legislative
Experience, mentoring programs, and the national convention; and

WHEREAS, The National Grange works with the Junior Grange department
in creating opportunities for older Junior Grange members to begin their
transition into the Subordinate Grange by encouraging youth to be
mentors to those older juniors and by providing opportunities for them
to become involved in the Achievement Award Program; and

WHEREAS, This year's National Grange Youth Ambassador, Garret Phelps
of Copenhagen, New York, is a senior at Lowville Academy and Central
School, and will attend SUNY Morrisville to pursue a degree in
Agricultural Business; and

WHEREAS, A member of the Grange for many years, Garret Phelps has
held the esteemed positions of: South Rutland Valley Grange Member
(since 2017), New York State Grange Youth Ambassador (2022-2023), South
Rutland Valley Grange Lecturer (2023-2024), and Jefferson County Pomona
Grange Steward (2022-2024); and

WHEREAS, Garret Phelps demonstrates his pride and care for his
community through his active involvement in numerous activities, such as
membership with the Lowville FFA Chapter, where he held the positions of
reporter, secretary, and sentinel student advisor; he also participates
in Junior Holstein Club, 4-H Dairy Club, High School Musical, and Dairy
Prospects; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Garret Phelps has been a member of his
school's student government, varsity swimming team, and varsity tennis
team, always serving as a model student and athlete; and

WHEREAS, Garrett Phelps lives on a small hobby farm with his parents
Melvin and Jennifer Phelps; he has spearheaded many projects in
agriculture, including starting a small orchard, producing maple syrup,
raising meat birds and beef cattle, as well as showing registered Brown
Swiss cattle at the Jefferson County Fair; and

WHEREAS, Introduced to the Grange at a young age by his father,
Garret Phelps quickly became active in many Grange-related activities,
and at the 2023 National Grange Convention, he was selected as a
National Grange Youth Ambassador, an esteemed and coveted position in
which he will spend the next year serving the Grange as part of the
National Grange Youth Leadership Team; and

WHEREAS, Garret Phelps takes great pride in his new role and plans
to foster positive, impactful, and insightful change to the field of
agriculture at a local, state, and national level through his service as
National Grange Youth Ambassador; and

WHEREAS, With a passion for learning history, this esteemed honoree
understands the meaningful connection between our past, how it relates
to the future, and how to utilize such lessons bestowed upon us to
achieve success as we move forward in an ever-evolving world; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose,
Garret Phelps now stands honorably, with just pride in his
accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges and
endeavors; and

WHEREAS, With his sense of civic duty and his commitment to others,
Garret Phelps represents the best development of the potential which is
inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Garrett Phelps upon the occasion of being named the
National Grange Youth Ambassador on November 17, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Garret Phelps, National Grange Youth Ambassador.