Senator Farley Salutes Olympian Erin Hamlin

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) takes a quiet moment to chat with friend, Olympian, and Herkimer County native Erin Hamlin before the State Senate went into Session on May 19th in Albany. Ms. Hamlin was invited to the Senate Chamber and was presented a New York State Senate Resolution for being the first female American luger to win a Winter Olympic medal and capturing the singles bronze medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia, last February. Senator Farley had the pleasure of participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Forge with Ms. Hamlin last March.

The text of the Resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its full recognition and grateful tribute to the outstanding athletes of New York State who have dedicated their purposeful lives to athletic achievement and proudly represented their great State and nation in Olympic competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to join the community of Remsen, New York, in honoring Olympian Erin Hamlin upon the occasion of capturing the bronze medal in women's singles luge at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi; and

WHEREAS, On February 11, 2014, Erin Hamlin, a native of Remsen, New York, set a blistering pace during the women's singles luge competition at the Sanki Sliding Center in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, opening the race with the second fastest heat, and then turning in the third fastest times in each of the remaining legs to complete the race with a four-run total time of three minutes, 21.145 seconds; fast enough to claim a long-coveted spot on the Olympic podium; and

WHEREAS, Erin Hamlin's bronze medal victory has made United States and Olympic Games history; it marks the first time any American singles luge athlete has earned a medal in the 50 years since luge became part of the games; and

WHEREAS, A woman of great skill, personal courage and unparalleled dedication, 27-year-old Erin Hamlin has an extraordinary record of accomplishment in the luge; her character and athletic achievements are world-renowned; and

WHEREAS, The most successful singles racer in United States Olympic history, Erin Hamlin is a three-time Olympian; she finished 12th in the women's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and she was selected in December 2009 to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, where she placed 16th in the luge competition, coming in as the highest placed American in the event; and

WHEREAS, In February 2009 she became the first American to win the Women's Luge World Championships in Lake Placid, New York, and the second American to ever win a medal in luging; and

WHEREAS, Erin Hamlin is a two-time Verizon United States Junior Women's Singles National Champion, and the 2008 Verizon Women's United States National Champion; she has also won three World Cup bronze medals, as well as gold, silver and bronze World Cup medals in team relay; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of Eileen and Ronald Hamlin, Erin Hamlin began her luge career at the age of 12 in Lake Placid, New York, on the same track where she earned her world title; and

WHEREAS, In winning the bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Erin Hamlin has not only brought honor to her family, her coaches, and her community of friends, she has inspired the next generation of athletes to break barriers and push beyond their perceived limits to reach for excellence; and

WHEREAS, Many will only dream of competing in the Olympic Games; this gifted athlete from this great Empire State, through hard work and a tenacious spirit, has made that dream a reality; she has proudly represented her country in competition among the world's finest athletes, an honor that gives just cause for her family, community and State to be exceedingly proud of her athletic achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Olympian Erin Hamlin upon the occasion of capturing a bronze medal in women's singles luge at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, to extend its heartfelt congratulations on her outstanding accomplishment, and to wish her continued success.