LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Joseph M. Fowler upon the occasion of
receiving the Service Above Self Award from the Walden Rotary Club on
June 18, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph M. Fowler upon the occasion of receiving the Service Above Self
Award from the Walden Rotary Club at a dinner to be held on Thursday,
June 18, 2009, at Colden Manor at Spruce Lodge in Coldenham, New York;
and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Joseph M. Fowler has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and
diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
consequently has been selected for this most prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 19, 1932, Joseph M. Fowler earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree from Hope College, Holland, Michigan, in 1954; while an
undergraduate, he was active in both his fraternity and track; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Joseph M. Fowler returned to Walden, New York, and
joined his father, C. Fred Fowler at Walden Insurance Agency; and
WHEREAS, Wanting to further his education, Joseph M. Fowler returned
to school and obtained his Master of Arts degree from the State Univer-
sity of New York at New Paltz in 1973; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, after 27 years of service, Joseph M. Fowler retired
and sold the Walden Insurance Agency; having always had a passion for
learning and an even greater enthusiasm for encouraging others in their
exploration of learning, Joseph began a second career teaching at Brun-
swick School in Greenwich, Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Joseph M. Fowler connects quickly and naturally to bright,
young minds and helps them achieve more than they ever thought possible
and after an extraordinary tenure he retired from teaching in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Always holding a strong affinity for the lakes of Sullivan
County, New York, Joseph M. Fowler relocated to Black Lake in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Joseph M. Fowler has been called
upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and charita-
ble endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, As a distinguished member of the Rotary, service above self
has always figured prominently in the life of Joseph M. Fowler; helping
and organizing numerous events, from beauty contests in the 1950s,
pancake breakfasts in the 1960s, and battle of the bands in the 1970s,
he has worked tirelessly for the good causes championed by Rotary; and
WHEREAS, During the entire period of his community service, a period
of constructive involvement, Joseph M. Fowler has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife; Bernice, their four
children, Aleta, Nick, Jane and Tim, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Joseph M. Fowler has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph M. Fowler upon the occasion of receiving the Service Above
Self Award from the Walden Rotary Club on June 18, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph M. Fowler.