Assembly Resolution No. 435

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

CONGRATULATING Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager
upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager upon the occasion of his
100th Birthday to be celebrated at a party held in his honor on
Thursday, May 18, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager was born on May 17, 1917, in Renovo,
Pennsylvania, to Susan Bartholomew and Henry Hager; and

WHEREAS, After the death of his father in 1932, Harold S. Hager and
his family moved to Avis, Pennsylvania, and later, to Lock Haven,
Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1936;
during high school, he was the cheerleader, the guy with the megaphone
who not only announced the great plays on the football field, but also
kept the crowd entertained with his hilarious antics between plays; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, Harold S. Hager "rode the rails," hopping
on freight cars in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, looking for fun,
adventure, and employment in the Corning/Elmira, New York, area; he
eventually moved to Corning, and worked as a cook in several local
restaurants; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, Harold S. Hager began working in production with
Corning Glass Works; in that same year, he married the love of his life,
Anna Elizabeth Hamman; together, the couple raised their son, John
Robert; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager was promoted to the title of Melting
Foreman in 1957, and was one of the first people to move to the Corning
Glass Works Research Facility in Erwin Sullivan Science Park in 1961;
and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Harold S. Hager retired from Corning Glass Works
after 35 years of dedicated service; for the next 12 years, he continued
to work at the company as a contract employee in his former position; in
2014, he received his 75 year honorarium from Corning Chairman, Wendell
Weeks; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager then went to work as a groundskeeper at
Indian Hills Golf Course, and a maintenance person for the former
Hungerford Corporation and its successor JK Peris, Inc.; this

hardworking man also spent over a year working in a convenience store
owned by his son; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Harold S. Hager has graciously
volunteered his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity and ReStore for
many years; for the past six years, he has worked approximately three to
four days a week, six to eight hours a day; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 100, Harold S. Hager has been instrumental in
the success of ReStore; he can often be found with a warm smile on his
face, telling jokes to the staff and customers; he helps keep the store
organized by sorting and testing the numerous donations, and ensuring
every single nut and bolt is bagged neatly and priced correctly before
being displayed on the floor; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with Habitat for Humanity and
ReStore, Harold S. Hager has held several offices in the masonic
fraternity, and has worked with the local food pantry and the facilities
corporation of the United Church of Painted Post; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager, with his zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Hager has enriched the lives of those around him
through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager upon the occasion of
celebrating his 100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Harold Sylvester Bartholomew Hager.