LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jake Swamp upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Liberty Bell Award from the Franklin
County Bar Association on May 12, 2010

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Jake Swamp has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jake Swamp
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Liberty Bell
Award from the Franklin County Bar Association to be celebrated at its
Annual Banquet on Wednesday, May 12, 2010; and
WHEREAS, For over 37 years, Jake Swamp was a Mohawk Sub-Chief and
representative on the Grand Council of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
Confederacy and has offered a wide range of experience in indigenous,
environmental and social issues locally, nationally and internationally;
and
WHEREAS, His responsibilities as a leader have included presiding over
thanksgiving ceremonies, birth and marriage ceremonies, counseling,
funeral rites, and the politics of the nation and confederacy; and
WHEREAS, Jake Swamp has inspired a new generation of Mohawk leaders
and teachers who are now taking the place of Elders in the communities
of the Iroquois and was directly involved in the creation of the Akwes-
asne Freedom School, a Mohawk language immersion school of critical
acclaim that has been an inspiration to many First Nation peoples in the
United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, Chief Swamp has inspired hundreds of people of many races and
cultures by working with a number of influential organizations; and
WHEREAS, As a result of his 37 years of experience as a Sub-Chief of
the Mohawk Nation and International Ambassador, Chief Swamp has been
traveling around the world, planting "Trees of Peace" in diverse places
such as Israel, Australia, South America, Morocco, Japan, Thailand, and
many colleges and universities in the United States and Canada; through
his tree planting efforts, he has inspired the planting of over 200
million trees; and
WHEREAS, Chief Jake Swamp continues to inspire many college students
of all races and backgrounds through his extensive lecturing schedule
which takes him to different universities and other speaking engagements
every year; and
WHEREAS, Jake Swamp has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Jake Swamp has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Jake Swamp has displayed throughout
his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jake Swamp upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of

the Liberty Bell Award from the Franklin County Bar Association; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jake Swamp.