Senate Resolution No. 4082

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMEMORATING the 140th Anniversary of The
Observer

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities
and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 140th Anniversary of The Observer; and

WHEREAS, Published continuously for the past 140 years, The Observer
is the only locally-owned weekly newspaper in the Finger Lakes area of
New York, between Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake; since 1878, the paper has
reported on the area's booms and busts, crimes and creativity, births
and death and so much more; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its history, The Observer has published
continuously through the Spanish-American War, two World Wars, the Great
Depression, four additional international conflicts, 9/11 and the
recession of 2008; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1998, George C. Lawson purchased The
Observer; a former publisher, chief executive officer and group
publisher of three daily newspapers in the northeast, he also served as
an executive with Gannett newspapers in New York, Michigan, Florida,
Pennsylvania and his hometown of Rockford, Illinois; after the purchase,
George and his family moved to the Finger Lakes area; and

WHEREAS, The award winning paper employs nine area staffers, and has
offices in Dundee and Penn Yan, New York; the media business also owns
the Watkins Glen REVIEW&EXPRESS; and

WHEREAS, George C. Lawson proudly runs the business along with his
wife, Debra, who serves as the business manager for both newspapers, and
his son, Brandon, an award-winning photographer who manages many parts
of the business; Brandon also played a key role in developing The
Observer's online edition at www.observer-review.com; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role at the paper, George C. Lawson has
served as an Executive Board Member for the Boy Scouts of America,
Finger Lakes Council, a Trustee for the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, and
President of both the New York Press Association and the Dundee Rotary
Club; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
community, George C. Lawson has been named a James E. West Fellow from
the Boy Scouts Foundation and a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary
Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The Observer, now 140 years old, has kept the citizens of
both Keuka and Seneca Lake informed and enlightened about their
communities that command their interest and shape their lives; it
presents news, opinions, and feature stories of paramount interest to
residents of the Finger Lakes region; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of George C. Lawson, The
Observer continues to maintain a high quality and relevant newspaper,
and delivers a superior product to all of its readers, as well as serves
as an expressive voice to the people of his community by providing a
platform for all members of the community; and

WHEREAS, Our newspapers provide a tremendous service to citizens
across the State of New York by keeping them informed about current
events; the democracy of our State and Nation is strengthened by a
responsible citizenry which is actively engaged in reading and kept
abreast of news affecting their lives; and

WHEREAS, As The Observer moves into the future, it carries with it
the legacy of a distinguished journalistic history and an outstanding
record of growth and achievement, fully confident that it will continue
to enjoy the sparkling success it has enjoyed thus far; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 140th Anniversary of The Observer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to George C. Lawson, President and Publisher, The Observer.