Senate Resolution No. 819

BY: Senator WALCZYK

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the New York
State Tug Hill Commission

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which are dedicated to increasing
public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of New
York, recognizing the role all citizens have in protecting the
environment and the quality of life in this Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Tug Hill
Commission; and

WHEREAS, For 50 years, the New York State Tug Hill Commission has
diligently worked to enable local governments, private organizations,
and individuals to shape the future of the Tug Hill region, and to
demonstrate and communicate ways that this can be done by other rural
areas; and

WHEREAS, This small, non-regulatory state agency is charged with
helping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill
region which includes 41 towns and 18 villages in portions of Jefferson,
Lewis, Oneida and Oswego counties; and

WHEREAS, The Tug Hill Commission was created in 1972, by New York
State to recognize the importance of the natural resources that the
regions provide; the New York State Legislature passed the Tug Hill
Reserve Act in 1992, to further recognize the statewide importance of
the region's natural resources, and in 1998, it passed legislation
encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working
forestlands; and

WHEREAS, Clean water, healthy forests, productive farms, stable
communities, and opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation are
important to the residents of the Tug Hill Region as well as the
Commission; and

WHEREAS, The programs and services provided by the Commission offer
technical assistance to local governments, economic development
organizations, and other local groups in land use planning, community
development, and natural resource management; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the commission provides skill development and
information for local officials through workshops and issue papers on
various topics; and

WHEREAS, The Tug Hill Commission uses a grassroots approach to help
create a sound environment and economy for this special, rural region of
New York State; forestry, farming and recreation are important segments
of the Tug Hill economy and are viable because of the region's
environment; and

WHEREAS, The success of the New York State Tug Hill Commission is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director Katie
Malinowski, her staff, and the Board of Directors 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 institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the New York State Tug Hill
Commission which are dedicated to educating the public about our
special, rural regions of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Tug Hill
Commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Katie Malinowski, Executive Director, New York State Tug
Hill Commission.