LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Whaling Museum & Education Center
upon the occasion of hosting its Summer Luau, and paying tribute to this
year's honorees, James V. Kelly and Helen Crosson

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Whaling
Museum & Education Center upon the occasion of hosting its Summer Luau,
and to pay tribute to this year's honorees, James V. Kelly and Helen
Crosson; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Thursday, July
23, 2015, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Whaling Museum & Education Center is to
display the whaling history of Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island, while
exploring the ever-changing relationship between humans and whales
through inquiry-based education and interpretation of artifacts; its
exhibits emphasize the cultural, scientific and environmental signif-
icance of Long Island and the Sea; and
WHEREAS, James V. Kelly is receiving the Improving Long Island's
Future Award in recognition of his distinguished career and exceptional
service to the community; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of the Town of Huntington, New York, James
V. Kelly's commitment to serving the public led to him being elected
Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Huntington Township Chamber
of Commerce in 2005, where he ably served for four years; and
WHEREAS, In addition, James V. Kelly is a member on the Town of Hunt-
ington Financial Review Committee, and has served on the Board of Direc-
tors for the Huntington Arts Council; he is also the CEO of JVKelly-
Group, a firm he founded in 2002, which advises Fortune 500 companies on
cost and supply chain risk reductions; and
WHEREAS, An active voice in local media, this remarkable man publishes
Long Islander News, a group of community newspapers which include LONG
ISLANDER NEWS, NORTHPORT RECORD, HALF HOLLOW HILLS and SUFFOLK LAWYER;
he has also hosted a business talk radio show and has made appearances
on FIOS 1 "Ask the Experts."; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, James V.
Kelly has been named one of SUPPLY AND DEMAND CHAIN EXECUTIVE magazine's
Pros to Know from 2007 to 2015, and has been listed in Long Island's Top
50 most influential people for three years in a row; and
WHEREAS, Helen Crosson is receiving the Changes in Our Community Award
in recognition of her tireless efforts to serve and promote the informa-
tional, cultural, educational and recreational needs of the public; and
WHEREAS, A leader in showcasing the extensive impact libraries have on
the community, Helen Crosson earned her Master's degree in Library &
Information Science from SUNY Albany, and holds a Master's degree in
Public Administration from LIU Post; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman was instrumental in the creation of the
Cold Spring Harbor Library and Environmental Center, the first and only
library on Long Island dedicated to the environment; and
WHEREAS, Following her debut as Library Director in 1999, Helen Cros-
son led the relocation of the library from a 7,000 square foot school
building into a five-acre institution which has become vital to the Cold

Spring Harbor community; currently, it welcomes up to 8,000 visitors a
month at its mansion-like location in the Cold Spring Harbor State Park;
and
WHEREAS, In January of 2015, Helen Crosson became the Director at the
Half Hollow Hills Community Library, where she is leading the exciting
process of reimagining and rebuilding the Dix Hills location; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, James V. Kelly and Helen Crosson
have stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Whaling Museum & Education Center remains stead-
fast in its commitment to educating the public about the marine environ-
ment and the rich history of the Cold Spring Harbor area; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Whaling Museum & Education Center is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, 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 this institution and the community it serves;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Whaling Museum & Education Center upon the occasion of host-
ing its Summer Luau, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees, James
V. Kelly and Helen Crosson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Whaling Museum & Education Center, James V. Kelly and
Helen Crosson.