LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Edward and Laurel Callahan upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2016 Henry C. Welles
Award by the Waterloo Library and Historical Society on May 27th, 2016

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 honor Edward "Ed"
and Laurel Callahan upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of the 2016 Henry C. Welles Award by the Waterloo Library and Historical
Society; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a reception on
Friday, May 27th, 2016, at Fatzinger Hall Waterloo Library and Histor-
ical Society, Waterloo, New York; and
WHEREAS, The presentation of the 2016 Henry C. Welles Award to "Ed"
and Laurel Callahan by the Waterloo Library and Historical Society will
kick off Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day weekend festivities in the
village of Waterloo; and
WHEREAS, The Henry C. Welles Award, named after the modest and unas-
suming druggist who was co-founder of the first Memorial Day celebration
in Waterloo in 1866, was established in 2008 by the Waterloo Library and
Historical Society to honor a citizen of Waterloo who, through tireless
effort and many hours of uncompensated time, has made Waterloo a better
place to live, work, worship, understand and enjoy; and
WHEREAS, "Ed" and Laurel Callahan have consistently contributed their
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and have
always given freely of their time and talents; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism and pride in their community are just two of the
commendable attributes "Ed" and Laurel Callahan share; they are often
delivering Meals on Wheels, working in the Community Garden, tending
flower beds for Waterloo in Bloom and volunteering at the Waterloo
Library; and
WHEREAS, Quietly performing each task with pride and perfection, "Ed"
and Laurel Callahan are often involved with cleaning up and weeding on
Vern's Way and at the Memory Bank; "Ed" edges the sidewalks and parking
lanes in areas where people will be visiting during Celebrate Commem-
orate Memorial Day; and
WHEREAS, In addition, "Ed" and Laurel Callahan deliver mail at Geneva
General Hospital and help with projects at Saint Mary's Church, where
they are parishioners; and
WHEREAS, Laurel Callahan is on the church Social Justice Committee,
heads the American Serviceman Project for the Catholic Daughters and
serves as a member of the Real Christmas Committee; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, "Ed" and Laurel Callahan stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, "Ed" and Laurel Callahan are both enjoying retirement; previ-
ously, "Ed" worked as a parole and probation officer, and Laurel worked
as a disability aid and teacher's aide; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout their lives have been their three chil-
dren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of "Ed" and Laurel's
lives and rejoice in their achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which "Ed" and Laurel Callahan both displayed
throughout their lives; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Edward "Ed" and Laurel Callahan upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the 2016 Henry C. Welles Award by the Waterloo
Library and Historical Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Edward "Ed" and Laurel Callahan.