2009-J548
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Philip Chase upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition as recipient of the Heroes of
Conservation Award by FIELD AND STREAM magazine
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing
welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched and
reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of individuals who are
committed to the preservation of our natural environment and the
enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive features of our
surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the areas in which they
exist; and
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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Philip Chase upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition as recipient of the Heroes of Conservation Award by FIELD
AND STREAM magazine; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong protector and friend of the Delaware River, Philip
Chase has been a trailblazer for most of his life as a conservation
watchdog for the Delaware River watershed; and
WHEREAS, The Delaware River and its tributaries, the Neversink and the
Mongaup, provide the best trout fishing on the East Coast; keeping these
trout habitats pristine has pitted Philip Chase against powerful forces;
and
WHEREAS, Named a "Hero of Conservation" and a "Best Friend of the
Delaware River" by FIELD AND STREAM, Philip Chase is now in the running
to be the magazine's "Conservationist of the Year"; and
WHEREAS, Philip Chase founded a Water Watchers program, and in the
early 1970s he served as vice president of the Save the Delaware Coali-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Following in his father's footsteps as a science teacher at
Port Jervis High School, Philip Chase also coached everything from foot-
ball to golf at the high school; as a science teacher, he was famous for
bringing his class to the Delaware for hands-on lessons in science and
conservation; and
WHEREAS, Philip Chase also wrote a twice-weekly column for the TIMES
HERALD-RECORD beginning in the late 1960s as a way to get the word out
about conservation; and
WHEREAS, Deerpark's representative on the Upper Delaware Council,
Philip Chase is also a Director of Friends of the Upper Delaware River;
he has been named the Federation of Fly Fishers' Man of the Year and the
Tri-County Sportsman of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Fly-fishing has been Philip Chase's passion since his father
bought him a bamboo rod when he was 12 years old; he was the logical
choice to be the fishing guide on the Delaware River for former Presi-
dent Jimmy Carter, and his wife Rosalynn, in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Philip Chase has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the respect
and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Philip Chase has displayed through-
out his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Philip Chase upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition as recipient of the Heroes of Conservation Award by
FIELD AND STREAM magazine; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Philip Chase, 12 Evergreen Lane, Port Jervis, New York 12771.