LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring William H. Brown upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by
the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, William H. Brown has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor William H.
Brown upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2012
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce, to
be celebrated on Friday, January 18, 2013, in Waterloo, New York; and
WHEREAS, William Brown was born in Downsville, New York; he earned his
Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and obtained his
master's degree from the University of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, William Brown is retired from the Seneca County Cooperative
Extension and is the founder of Lakeshore Winery; a Seneca County Coop-
erative Extension Agent for 30 years, he is a member of the Ovid Feder-
ation Church and is an active community member; and
WHEREAS, William Brown has demonstrated involvement in the community
and in the growth of Seneca County and was instrumental in bringing the
wine industry to Seneca County; from 1978-1979, he assembled the support
staff that pioneered the direction of the industry; and
WHEREAS, William Brown's vision to build a business community with a
reputation that rivals that of Napa Valley, began among a small group of
people; he gathered lenders, appraisers, marketers and wine makers to
develop one of the largest growing sources of revenue for New York
State; his vision of the Finger Lakes as a tourism location focusing on
the wine industry now encompasses over 300 wineries in New York, wine
trails, cheese trails and Bed & Breakfasts, that have drawn tourists
from around the world; and
WHEREAS, In addition, William Brown led a small group of lenders and
farmers in the pursuit of a soybean processing plant for Seneca County
at the time when soybeans were being introduced as a major new crop for
New York State; he was instrumental in motivating Cornell University
Research to be involved which developed into a project that grew to
include regular participation from the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets, and the completion of a full feasibility study;
thus making soybean farming the major crop for Seneca County; and
WHEREAS, William Brown has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, William Brown has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Doris, their chil-
dren, Kim and the late David, and their grandchildren, Amanda and Kara,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which William Brown has displayed through-
out his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor William H. Brown upon the occasion of his designation as recipient

of the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Seneca County Chamber of
Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to William H. Brown.