LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of
her designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games
and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of her designation for special honor
at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on
February 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The President and CEO of New York Road Runners and the race
director of the ING New York City Marathon since 2005, Mary Wittenberg
succeeded Allan Steinfeld and the late Fred LeBow at the helm of the
most celebrated marathon and the premier road running organization in
the world; and
WHEREAS, The first female President and CEO of New York Road Runners
and the first woman to lead one of the world's major marathons, Mary
Wittenberg previously was a partner at the law firm Hunton & Williams;
she is a 1984 graduate of Canisius College and received a law degree
from Notre Dame Law School in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Under the outstanding leadership of Mary Wittenberg, New York
Road Runners created the World Marathon Majors, along with the directors
of marathons in Boston, London, Berlin and Chicago; hosted the 2006 USA
Cross Country Championships; staged the first two editions of the New
York City Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE; won the bid to host the 2007
United States Olympic Men's Marathon Team Trials; and expanded its
commitment to youth running through the New York Road Runners Founda-
tion; and
WHEREAS, With Mary Wittenberg throughout have been her husband, Derek,
and their two sons, Alex and Cary, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of her life and rejoice in her 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; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Mary Wittenberg and to wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of her designation for special
honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on
February 4, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Wittenberg.