LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Cronin upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the inaugural General Israel Putnam Trailblazer Award from the
Putnam County Historical Society and Foundry School Museum on September
26, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals and organizations within the great State of New York that
are dedicated to the vital work of environmental protection; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Cronin upon the occasion of receiving the inaugural General Israel
Putnam Trailblazer Award from the Putnam County Historical Society and
Foundry School Museum on September 26, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Director and CEO of the Beacon Institute for Rivers and
Estuaries, John Cronin has a long and distinguished career in environ-
mental policy, advocacy and education; and
WHEREAS, John Cronin began his work on the Hudson River in 1973, at
the prodding of folksinger Pete Seeger, and since then has worked as an
advocate, a state and congressional legislative aide, a commercial fish-
erman, and director of the Pace Academy for the Environment at Pace
University School of Law; and
WHEREAS, For 35 years, John Cronin has dedicated his career to public
service and the environment; appointed by the governor of New York State
to help develop "a global center for river and estuary research" in
2000, John Cronin helped found the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estu-
aries in 2004 on the shores of the Hudson River, where he served as
interim chief before being appointed the first director and CEO in 2006;
and
WHEREAS, Known internationally for his Hudson River work, John Cronin
has authored three Hudson River laws and led the investigation of more
than 100 water pollution cases, with far-reaching impacts on environ-
mental policy; he served as Hudson Riverkeeper from 1983 until 2000,
inspiring a legacy of more than 160 waterkeeper programs on six conti-
nents; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of John Cronin, the Beacon Institute for
Rivers and Estuaries has adopted technological innovation as a central
mission; its River and Estuary Observatory Network will monitor the
Hudson "source to sea" through a network of sensors and robotics that
provide real-time data to researchers, policymakers and educators and
will be emulated on rivers and estuaries worldwide; and
WHEREAS, To inspire a new generation of innovators, John Cronin has
built the education program at the Beacon Institute of Rivers and Estu-
aries around Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skill
training for students and technology-based professional development for
teachers; and
WHEREAS, John Cronin is a co-founder of the Pace Academy for Applied
Environmental Studies, a center for excellence at Pace University where
he is Senior Fellow for Environmental Affairs, as well as the founder of
the Environmental Consortium of Hudson Valley Colleges and Universities,
and co-founder of the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Cronin co-authored the book THE RIVERKEEP-
ERS, with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has written numerous articles, includ-
ing for the Op Ed page of THE NEW YORK TIMES, and wrote and co-produced
the film "The Last Rivermen," which was named an outstanding documentary
by the Motion Picture Academy Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Named a "Hero for the Planet" by TIME, John Cronin has been
the recipient of numerous honors including an Honorary Juris Doctor from

Pace Law School, the William E. Ricker Award from the American Fisheries
Society, and the Thomas Berry Environmental Award; he has also been the
subject of two books and extensive major media print and broadcast news
stories, documentaries and profiles; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of individuals such as John Cronin, who work tirelessly on
behalf of protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of present
and future generations of New Yorkers; 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 John Cronin upon the occasion of receiving the inaugural General
Israel Putnam Trailblazer Award from the Putnam County Historical Socie-
ty and Foundry School Museum on September 26, 2009, and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Cronin.