LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the
occasion of its 29th Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival, May
1-2, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body that the quali-
ty of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched
by its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions;
these institutions give positive definition to the profile and disposi-
tion of the communities of the State of New York and profoundly
strengthen our society with their commitment; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of its 29th Annual Sakura
Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival, held on May 1-2, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2010, Brooklyn Botanic
Garden is an independent nonprofit institution committed to education,
research, and display of horticulture; situated on 52 acres in the heart
of Brooklyn, New York, the Garden is home to over 12,000 kinds of plants
and hosts more than 725,000 visitors annually; and
WHEREAS, Growing from its humble beginnings as an ash dump in the late
1800s, Brooklyn Botanic Garden has come to represent the very best in
urban gardening and horticultural display; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Brooklyn Botanic Garden is to serve all the
people in its community and throughout the world by: displaying plants
and practicing the high art of horticulture to provide a beautiful and
hospitable setting for the delight and inspiration of the public; engag-
ing in research in plant sciences to expand human knowledge of plants,
and disseminating the results to science professionals and the general
public; teaching children and adults about plants at a popular level, as
well as making available instruction in the exacting skills required to
grow plants and make beautiful gardens; reaching out to help the people
of all our diverse urban neighborhoods to enhance the quality of their
surroundings and their daily lives through the cultivation and enjoyment
of plants; and seeking actively to arouse public awareness of the
fragility of our natural environment, both local and global, and provid-
ing information about ways to conserve and protect it; and
WHEREAS, At the 29th Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
held on May 1-2, 2010, at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the peerless
collection of more than 200 Japanese flowering cherry trees -- the most
diverse array outside Japan -- created an explosion of blossoms worthy
of a major celebration; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, tens of thousands of visitors to the Sakura
Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival have come to experience the incredible
beauty of the cherry trees' fleeting blooms and learn about Japanese
culture; and
WHEREAS, The Sukura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival comprises two days
of the best of both traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and
culture, including dance, martial arts, manga, costume play, workshops,
demonstrations and guided tours of the Garden's Japanese-inspired plant
collections; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Brooklyn

Botanic Garden and its Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of its 29th Annual
Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brook-
lyn, New York 11225.