LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the
occasion of hosting its 34th Annual Sakura Matsuri on April 25, 2015

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 organiza-
tions that 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
the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its 34th Annual
Sakura Matsuri; the spring season and the flowering of the cherry trees
will be celebrated at the Opening Ceremony at the Garden on Saturday,
April 25, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of President Scot Medbury, the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is proud to welcome tens of thousands of guests
who will revel among the spring flowers, to the Garden for Sakura Matsu-
ri weekend, truly making it "New York City's Rite of Spring"; and
WHEREAS, The Opening Ceremony events will be held in the Cherry Espla-
nade following a Taiko drumming performance by the ensemble Soh Daiko;
and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an independent nonprofit
institution, whose laboratory administration building was unanimously
designated a New York City landmark in 2007; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been devoted to research,
education, and the display of horticulture since it was first founded in
1910; it consists of 52 acres of land, and has a variety of specialty
gardens which houses the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, the Osborne garden,
glass aquatic plant house, an art gallery, climate controlled plant
displays, and a famous 500 year-old shogun lantern; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden welcomes over 800,000 visitors
annually and houses over 300,000 specimens of plants used for extensive
botany research as well as holds 10,000 diverse species of plants in its
gardens, and produces publications used for garden design, techniques,
and education about invasive plant species while promoting the use of
native plants; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Spring Gala is instrumental in
supporting its efforts by providing educational programs, which range
from adult to children's classes; it also offers numerous internships
for students, performs research on plant systematics, and presents its
garden to the communities of New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its
34th Annual Sakura Matsuri on April 25, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Scot Medbury, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.