LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion
of hosting the 2009 Brooklyn Ball and honoring James S. Polshek

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of
life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body that insti-
tutions that give positive definition to the profile and disposition of
the communities of the State of New York profoundly strengthen our soci-
ety with their commitment; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion of hosting the 2009 Brooklyn Ball
and honoring James S. Polshek; this auspicious occasion will be held at
the Museum on Thursday, April 23, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Housed in a 560,000-square-foot, Beaux-Arts building, the
Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the
country; its world-renowned permanent collections range from ancient
Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art, and represent a wide range of
cultures; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Museum is part of a complex of nineteenth-centu-
ry parks and gardens that also includes Prospect Park, the Brooklyn
Botanic Garden, and the Prospect Park Zoo; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Brooklyn Museum is to act as a bridge
between the rich artistic heritage of world cultures, as embodied in its
collections, and the unique experience of each visitor; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its Director, Arnold L. Lehman,
the Brooklyn Museum is dedicated to the primacy of the visitor experi-
ence, committed to excellence in every aspect of its collections and
programs, and drawing on both new and traditional tools of communi-
cation, interpretation, and presentation; the Museum aims to serve its
diverse public as a dynamic, innovative, and welcoming center for learn-
ing through the visual arts; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Brooklyn Ball will honor James S. Polshek, founder
and senior design counsel of Polshek Partnership Architects; he has
spent the last five decades creating significant public architecture for
New York City, completing award-winning designs for numerous spaces
within the Brooklyn Museum, including the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin
Pavilion and Lobby, the Beaux-Arts Court, the Elizabeth A. Sackler
Center for Feminist Art, the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, and
the Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro West Wing Galleries; and
WHEREAS, The Augustus Graham Medal, the Museum's highest honor, will
be presented to James S. Polshek in recognition of his role in the
visionary transformation of the Brooklyn Museum; his reinvention in 2004
of the main entrance, public plaza, and lobby of the original Beaux-Arts
building designed in 1893 has prepared the Brooklyn Museum for the
future, reestablishing its commitment to openness and accessibility in
its services to visitors and the community-at-large; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought
to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion of hosting the 2009 Brook-
lyn Ball and honoring James S. Polshek; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Arnold L. Lehman, Director, The Brooklyn Museum, and James S.
Polshek, Polshek Partnership Architects.