LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Fred Schaeffer upon the occasion of his
designation by the POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL as its 2010 Business Person of
the Year

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize individ-
uals who distinguish themselves in their profession and in service to
their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Fred Schaeffer upon the occasion of his designation by the POUGHKEEPSIE
JOURNAL as its 2010 Business Person of the Year; and
WHEREAS, The POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL Business Person of the Year Award is
presented annually to an individual whose leadership, hard work and
dedication have had a measurable impact on the economic viability and
vitality of the area served by the paper; and
WHEREAS, Fred Schaeffer is being presented with this well-deserved
award in recognition and appreciation of his many contributions to
Dutchess County and the surrounding region at the 2010 Business Person
of the Year Award Luncheon being hosted in his honor by the POUGHKEEPSIE
JOURNAL and Dutchess Community College at the College on Tuesday, June
1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Fred Schaeffer has practiced law in the Mid-Hudson Valley for
more than 30 years; his most public accomplishment has been his key
involvement in turning the Walkway Over the Hudson from a vision into a
reality; and
WHEREAS, From his first visit to the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad
Bridge in 1993, he was captivated by the spectacular view and knew the
structure needed to be restored to provide public access; and
WHEREAS, Over the next several years, Fred Schaeffer volunteered
countless hours toward that goal and was successful in securing both
public and private funds for the project; and
WHEREAS, Since its completion in the fall of 2009, more than 450,000
people have visited and enjoyed the site, deemed the longest pedestrian
bridge in the world; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the immense amount of work he did on behalf of
the Walkway, Fred Schaeffer has also been involved with the Mid-Hudson
Bicycle Club, Mid-Hudson Sierra Club, Harlem Valley Rail Trail Associ-
ation, the Mid-Hudson Photography Club and numerous other community
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Fred Schaeffer is a graduate of Dutchess Community College
and was inducted into its Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009; he has also
served on the Dutchess Community College Foundation Board and, well-
known and highly respected in his profession as well as at the College
and in the community, he is a member and Past President of the Dutchess
County Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such accomplishment and service are brought to our attention
they should be recognized and celebrated 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
commend Fred Schaeffer upon the occasion of his designation by the
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL as its 2010 Business Person of the Year as he is
honored on June 1, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fred Schaeffer.