LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Fred Schaeffer upon the occasion of
receiving the Community Spirit Award from the Dutchess County Regional
Chamber of Commerce on February 7, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Fred
Schaeffer upon the occasion of receiving the Community Spirit Award from
the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce at its Annual Gala on
February 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The poster child for the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge for the
past four years, Fred Schaeffer has worked tirelessly to restore the
structure built in 1888 to its former grandeur and convert it into a
walkway and bikeway; and
WHEREAS, In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Walkway Over the Hudson, Fred Schaeffer has been a long-time advocate
of the Dutchess County Rail Trail; and
WHEREAS, A true citizen of Dutchess County, Fred Schaeffer believes in
giving back to the community he loves so much; he is currently a member
of the Pleasant Valley Lions Club, as well as past president and chair-
man of its bicycling event for the last 24 years; the Mid-Hudson Bicycl-
ing Club; the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association; the Mid-Hudson
Photograph Club; Friends of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery; and the
Mid-Hudson Sierra Club, where he is a past chairman; and
WHEREAS, Fred Schaeffer also served as Pleasant Valley Zoning Board
Chairman from 1978 until 1985; Pleasant Valley Planning Board Chairman
during the 1970s; Pleasant Valley Town Board Member in the 1970s; and
served on the Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Cancer Society;
the Dutchess Community College Foundation; the Dutchess County College
Alumni Association, where he was president in 2001 and 2002; the Volun-
tary Action Center, where he is a past president; and was a member of
the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Association from
2000-2006; and
WHEREAS, Professionally, Fred Schaeffer has been a member of the New
York State Bar Association since 1969 and the Dutchess County Bar Asso-
ciation since 1969, serving as its President from July 1999 to June
2000; and
WHEREAS, With Fred Schaeffer throughout have been his two children,
Laurie and Stephen, both of whom feel privileged 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 Fred Schaeffer upon the occasion of receiving the Community Spirit
Award from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce on February
7, 2009, and to 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 Fred Schaeffer.