LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Cheryl Longyear upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Public Leadership Award by Parks and
Trails New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing
welfare of the citizens of this great State and Nation is greatly
enriched by the purposeful endeavors of individuals and organizations
committed to the preservation of our environment, and to the enhancement
of appreciation for the distinctive features of our natural
surroundings; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
Cheryl Longyear upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Public Leadership Award by Parks and Trails New York to be celebrated on
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Parks and Trails New York (PTNY) is a leading statewide envi-
ronmental advocate dedicated to improving the health and quality of life
of all New Yorkers by working with community organizations and munici-
palities to envision, create, promote, and protect a growing network of
parks, greenways and trails for all residents to use and enjoy; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 PTNY Park and Trail Hero Awards recognize those
exceptional individuals whose leadership, creativity, and donation of
time, talent, and materials are behind many of New York's parks and
trails; and
WHEREAS, Cheryl Longyear is receiving the Public Leadership Award in
recognition of her longtime efforts as a passionate community organizer,
and for spearheading the development of a trail system in the Montezuma
Heritage Park; and
WHEREAS, For more than a decade, Cheryl Longyear has ably served as
historian for the Town of Montezuma, New York; and
WHEREAS, Several years ago, Cheryl Longyear began working with a core
group of volunteers to develop trails and plans for the Montezuma Herit-
age Park; her initiative picked up steam in 2010 after the town was
awarded a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation, and a plan was completed in 2013; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman has strived to carry out historic and
environmental initiatives like the Montezuma Heritage Park in an effort
to help increase the tax base through an emphasis on tourism and
attracting businesses and visitors; and
WHEREAS, Cheryl Longyear and park volunteers have been successful in
developing seven trails, with plans for an eighth on the way, through
the park which is comprised of more than 140 acres in size; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her many accomplishments as a historian and
conservationist, Cheryl Longyear is an active member of the Montezuma
town planning board, and is helping to compose the town's first compre-
hensive plan; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon every citizen to recognize that we are
all stewards of our environment and to applaud the efforts of individ-
uals like Cheryl Longyear who work tirelessly to protect our environment
and natural surroundings for the benefit of present and future gener-
ations; 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 Cheryl Longyear upon the occasion of her designation as recipient

of the Public Leadership Award by Parks and Trails New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cheryl Longyear.