LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Palisades Park Conservancy upon
the occasion of its hosting a dinner to honor the Mary and E.H. Harriman
Family for their outstanding legacy of dedication and generosity

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Palisades Park Conservancy upon the occasion of its hosting a dinner
to honor the Mary and E.H. Harriman Family for their outstanding legacy
of dedication and generosity; this auspicious occasion will be cele-
brated on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Ross Dock on the Hudson River in
Ft. Lee, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, The Palisades Park Conservancy is a corporation established
exclusively for charitable objectives to receive and maintain funds and
apply such funds for the improvement of and activities in the Palisades
Interstate Park Commission, and for the purposes of promoting and
expanding the preservation of natural, historical, and cultural
resources in the Park for the benefit of the public; and
WHEREAS,The Palisades Interstate Park Commission is among the oldest
and most successful public/private partnerships in the nation; it is a
federally chartered bi-state system with jurisdiction over 20 state
parks and eight historic sites, the Commission is comprised of five
commissioners from New York and five commissioners from New Jersey, each
appointed by that state's governor to staggered five-year terms; and
WHEREAS, Preservation, education, and recreation form the core of the
Palisades Interstate Park Commission's services; since its inception in
1900, more than 110,000 acres of forest, wildlife habitats, and cultural
resources in New York and New Jersey have been entrusted to it and the
Park receives more than nine million visitors each year; and
WHEREAS, In 1909, E.H. Harriman proposed to extend the Palisades
Interstate Park by donating thousands of acres, along with an exceeding-
ly generous endowment, to New York State; upon his death, this gift to
New York was completed by his widow, Mary, and her son, Averell; and
WHEREAS, Mary Harriman developed a lifelong commitment to philanthropy
and one of her first undertakings was to fulfill her late husband's
vision of an immense state park; her completion of this vision led to
the creation of Harriman State Park as an extension of the Palisades
Interstate Park; and
WHEREAS, In 1929, Mary Harriman received the Pugsley Gold Medal for
her distinguished service in the creation of the establishment of Pali-
sades Interstate Park; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute both to the Palisades
Park Conservancy and the Mary and E.H. Harriman Family for their
outstanding legacy of dedication and generosity to the parks and histor-
ic sites of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought
to our attention, 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 Palisades Park Conservancy upon the occasion of its hosting

a dinner to honor the Mary and E.H. Harriman Family for their outstand-
ing legacy of dedication and generosity; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Palisades Park Conservancy, Bear Mountain, New York
10911.