Assembly Resolution No. 861

BY: M. of A. Hawley

RECOGNIZING the Jell-O Gallery Museum in LeRoy,
New York, upon the occasion of its celebration of
Jell-O Week on February 12-18, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize the Jell-O Gallery Museum in LeRoy, New York, upon the
occasion of its celebration of Jell-O Week on February 12-18, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Officially declared in 2001, the second week of February is
National Jell-O Week and is celebrated by various communities throughout
the country; and

WHEREAS, Jell-O, as it was originally called, has existed as a
product since 1897, when a carpenter from Le Roy, New York, named Pearle
Wait experimented with gelatin and came up with a fruit flavored dessert
which his wife, May, named Jell-O; and

WHEREAS, In 1899, Jell-O was sold to Orator Francis Woodward, whose
Genesee Pure Food Company produced the successful Grain-O health drink;
succeeding years saw Jell-O change from a hand-packaged business to a
highly mechanized factory, and one of Le Roy's most important
industries; and

WHEREAS, On December 31, 1925, the Jell-O Company was sold to the
Postum Cereal Company, Inc., thereby becoming the first subsidiary of a
large merger that would eventually become General Foods Corporation; and

WHEREAS, The first four Jell-O flavors were orange, lemon,
strawberry and raspberry, with lime introduced in 1930; and

WHEREAS, The Jell-O Company left its hometown of LeRoy in 1964, yet
remains a vital component of the town's distinguished history; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Jell-O Gallery Museum, located on East Main
Street, displays the company's original advertising art, molds, spoons,
toys, collectibles, and recipe books; and

WHEREAS, Known as America's Most Famous Dessert, the Jell-O brand is
currently owned by Kraft/General Foods in Dover, Delaware, and sells
more than 300 million boxes each year; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated staff of the Jell-O Gallery Museum, are and
always have been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence, and
accordingly merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the leaders of commerce and industry whose accomplishments

contribute to the economic health and prosperity of the communities of
the State of New York and to the quality of life of its people; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations
recognize the Jell-O Gallery Museum in LeRoy, New York, upon the
occasion of its celebration of Jell-O Week on February 12-18, 2024; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Jell-O Gallery Museum in LeRoy, New York.