LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Anna Babcock upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate and
recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Nation
and Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Anna Babcock of Wellsville, New York, upon the occasion of cele-
brating her 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, Anna was born on March 19, 1915, in Silver Springs, New York,
to Michael and Anna Kova, and was one of the couple's four children; in
1928, the family changed their last name to Cook; and
WHEREAS, A first-generation American, her parents having immigrated
from Austria-Hungary in 1912, she spent the first five years of her life
speaking Hungarian at home, all the while being told by her parents,
"You are American and you are going to speak English"; and
WHEREAS, A child of the Great Depression, Anna learned early the
importance of hard work and the ability to take life as it comes; and
WHEREAS, Anna graduated from Silver Springs School and then attended
Genesee Normal School, today known as SUNY Geneseo, where she earned her
degree in teaching; and
WHEREAS, She taught for five years at schools in Eagle and Portage-
ville, New York; from her time teaching, Anna most vividly remembers the
one and two-room school buildings where she instructed English, reading,
mathematics and science; and
WHEREAS, While out with friends at the Silver Lake Roller Skating
Rink, Anna met a young Frenchman who would introduce her to his friend
William Babcock of Goshen, New York; and
WHEREAS, In the 1930s, William Babcock and Anna Cook married at the
Catholic Church in Silver Springs; a short time later, they found them-
selves living in Wellsville, where William hoped to find a job during a
boom in the community's economy; and
WHEREAS, After arriving in Wellsville, with the help of a cousin, the
couple opened a dry-cleaners at 91 Main Street; following an increase in
the storefront's rent, from $100 to $150, the couple purchased a new
building, moved their cleaner, and went on to operate the business
successfully for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Anna and William Babcock took up residence on Hamilton
Street; Anna would call this home until moving to Manor Hills Inc., at
age 97; along with their home in Wellsville, the Babcocks purchased a
hunting cabin in Scio and a fishing camp in Canada where they would
vacation; and
WHEREAS, Today, Anna Babcock is a loving aunt to her three nephews,
Michael, Brian, and Allan Cook, and three nieces, Kathy Cook, and Gail
and Sally Goof; and
WHEREAS, She is noted by friends and family for her strong work ethic,
keen sense of family history and sharp memory; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor the lives of beloved citizens who have reached a remark-
able age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural
developments, and awesome achievements of this country during the last
century; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Anna Babcock upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Anna Babcock.