Senate Resolution No. 143

BY: Senator JACOBS

CONGRATULATING Todd Benzin upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2018 Artie Award
for Outstanding Character Performance

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to individuals that devote their time and energies to the cultural
enrichment of the Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Todd Benzin upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2018 Artie Award for Outstanding Character Performance;
and

WHEREAS, The Artie Awards were established in 1991, by Anthony
Chase, Theater Editor of Artvoice, an online weekly newspaper in Western
New York; they were presented by the newspaper for the first 26 years;
beginning with the 27th year, the awards are being presented by
WNED/WBFO radio; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the Artie Committee votes in 19 categories to
select the nominees and winners for the season's productions at Western
New York theaters; to be eligible for an Artie, an artist must live and
work in the Buffalo, New York area, while a theater must produce work
locally, primarily with local artists; and

WHEREAS, The Artie Awards Ceremony is a benefit, with all proceeds
from the evening going to an HIV/AIDS related charity; and

WHEREAS, Todd Benzin won the 2018 Artie Award for Outstanding
Supporting Character Performance for his superlative performance in The
Producers; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the
performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from
all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; and

WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts
of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we
celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere
in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the
expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Todd Benzin upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2018 Artie Award for Outstanding Character Performance;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Todd Benzin.