LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Genesee Valley Club upon the occasion
of celebrating its 125th Anniversary on June 10, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality of
life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by the
availability of exceptional social clubs and activities offered through-
out communities across this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Genesee Valley Club upon the occasion of its 125th Anniversary to be
celebrated at a reception on Thursday, June 10, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Genesee Valley Club was conceived in the Powers Block,
Room 49 at the office of Hobart F. Atkinson (the Club's first president)
on January 22, 1885; the idea for such a club had long been entertained
by the men of the growing community on the Genesee River; and
WHEREAS, The civic, business, and professional men at the meeting held
a common thought and a common goal; this was the creation of a club that
would offer certain essential features, some of which included a reading
room supplied with periodicals, a library of books and bound magazines
and a restaurant to serve simple food, properly prepared, and available
at convenient times; and
WHEREAS, It was also determined that the site of the proposed new
organization should be "the whole of a house centrally located, comfort-
ably and suitably furnished," and further, that the club should have "no
less than 50 members"; and
WHEREAS, In all, much was accomplished at the first meeting, where
Frederick A. Whittlesey served as Chairman and Holmes B. Stevens was
Secretary; the chairman appointed the following committees: Organiza-
tion: George E. Mumford, George Moss, E. V. Stoddard, H. G. Danforth,
and H. B. Stevens; Incorporation: George F. Yeoman, M. H. Briggs, and
W. S. Oliver; and Site: H. F. Atkinson, James G. Cutler, Thomas C.
Montgomery, W. S. Osgood, and W. D. Ellwanger; and
WHEREAS, The 91 men who attended subscribed to the proposition of
meeting, electing officers and taking measures for the incorporation and
organization of the club; and
WHEREAS, Enthusiasm for the idea of a club grew rapidly; at the second
meeting, held on January 30, 1885, also in Mr. Atkinson's office, the
Committee on Organization nominated 15 men to form a board of managers
(now called governors) to serve for one year; at this time, it was also
decided the organization would be called the Genesee Valley Club; and
WHEREAS, The original governors were: H. F. Atkinson, E. M. Moore,
William S. Oliver, Haywood Hawks, William D. Ellwanger, Enoch V. Stod-
dard, George Moss, Charles J. Burke, Frederick A. Whittlesey, J. Sher-
lock Andrews, A. Erickson Perkins, James G. Cutler, George F. Yeoman,
James S. Watson, and Holmes B. Stevens; 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 celebrated and recognized 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 Genesee Valley Club upon the occasion of celebrating its 125th
Anniversary on June 10, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Genesee Valley Club.