LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mayor Harry Lewis of Johnson City,
New York, upon the occasion of his retirement after 18 years of service

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Mayor Harry Lewis of Johnson City, New York, upon the occasion of his
retirement after 18 years of service; and
WHEREAS, By the end of 1991, Harry Lewis was elected as mayor; he
retired at the end of May 2009, in order to spend more time with his
family; his current four-year term would have expired in November of
2009; and
WHEREAS, Some village residents and employees certainly remember Harry
Lewis as a hands-on mayor; on a cold Christmas Eve during his first
term, with winds gusting at 30 miles per hour, he hopped on the back of
a garbage truck to run the route for the day; he was one who just wanted
to be with the guys; and
WHEREAS, During a particular blizzard in 1993, plow drivers were
exhausted after working 16-hour shifts, but were uplifted to see Mayor
Harry Lewis driving a plow; during the June 2006 flood, Mayor Lewis
handed out evacuation notices from the back of a fire truck and later
was seen shoveling debris with public works employees; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Harry Lewis, who had retired as an IBM manager in April
1990, served one term as a trustee before he ran for mayor; Ruth Lewis,
the mayor's wife of 53 years, mentioned that her husband was always
worried about Johnson City residents and was always on the move working
for the village; and
WHEREAS, However, Mayor Harry Lewis retired so that he can relax with
his family, which includes 14 grandchildren, but will always keep in
touch with village affairs, after developing the many close and personal
friendships in Johnson City; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by Mayor Harry Lewis over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication
to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mayor Harry Lewis of Johnson City, New York, upon the occa-
sion of his retirement after 18 years of service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mayor Harry Lewis.