LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sean Kirst upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the 2008 Ernie Pyle Journalism Award for human interest writing from
the Scripps Howard Foundation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exceptional journalists of this great Empire State who
have distinguished themselves in their profession while entertaining us
and enriching our lives with their creative talents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sean
Kirst upon the occasion of receiving the 2008 Ernie Pyle Journalism
Award for human interest writing from the Scripps Howard Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The Ernie Pyle Journalism Award for human interest writing is
given by the Scripps Howard Foundation to the one newspaper writer
nationwide who most exemplifies the works of Pyle, a famed World War II
correspondent; past recipients include Charles Kuralt, Mike Royko and
Syracuse native Chris Hedges; and
WHEREAS, A city reporter and columnist for the SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD,
Sean Kirst was selected by a panel of judges on the basis of eight
columns published last year, each centering on seemingly ordinary
people, as they've defined the life and times of Upstate New York; and
WHEREAS, Sean Kirst grew up in Dunkirk, New York, near Buffalo, and
was a stringer stringing for the DUNKIRK OBSERVER as a teenager; after
graduating from the State University College at Fredonia in 1981, he
studied for a year at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania before
working for newspapers in Rochester and Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Sean Kirst joined the Oswego bureau of the SYRACUSE
POST-STANDARD, and three years later began writing columns for the
paper; in recent years, he has kept a daily blog on the newspaper's
website; and
WHEREAS, With Sean Kirst throughout have been his wife, Nora, and
their three children, Sarah, Seamus and Liam, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his many achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sean Kirst upon the occasion of receiving the 2008 Ernie Pyle
Journalism Award for human interest writing from the Scripps Howard
Foundation, and wish him continued success in all of his future endeav-
ors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sean Kirst.