LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Otesaga Resort Hotel upon the occa-
sion of receiving the NBT Bank Distinguished Business Award from the
Otsego County Chamber of Commerce on April 3, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched by
the faithful efforts of those outstanding businesses which have posi-
tively influenced their communities and serve the public need; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The
Otesaga Resort Hotel upon the occasion of receiving the NBT Bank Distin-
guished Business Award from the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce on
April 3, 2009, at the Hunt Union Ballroom on the campus of the SUNY
College at Oneonta; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009, The Otesaga Resort
Hotel recently completed a $40 million restoration, which has been a
great stimulus to area business and employment; and
WHEREAS, In addition, The Otesaga Resort Hotel generously supports
numerous area charities and non-profit agencies, including Hospice,
American Red Cross, Bassett Healthcare, Otsego County Food Bank and the
Cooperstown Fire Department and EMS; and
WHEREAS, The history of The Otesaga Resort Hotel dates back to March
1908, when Edward S. and Stephen C. Clark purchased the Holt-Averill
property in Cooperstown, New York for the purpose of building a summer
hotel on ten acres which fronted 700 feet on Otsego Lake; and
WHEREAS, Named after an American Indian word meaning "Place of Meet-
ing," The Otesaga Resort Hotel opened for its first guests on July 12,
1909, and was "conceded to be the finest summer hotel" of the north; and
WHEREAS, The Otesaga Resort Hotel originally opened with 179 sleeping
rooms, including 26 rooms on the top floor for staff; it currently
consists of 135 well-appointed, air-conditioned guest rooms and suites,
which are maintained by a staff of over 300 employees who realize that
they are part of a unique hotel; and
WHEREAS, Although originally built as a social hotel, The Otesaga
Resort Hotel has nine meeting rooms, the largest being the ballroom
which will accommodate 250 guests; these days, a large part of its
current business is due to group meetings and conferences; and
WHEREAS, In addition, The Otesaga Resort Hotel has an excellent dining
room where breakfast and dinner are served; a sumptuous luncheon buffet
is featured daily with seating on the veranda overlooking beautiful Lake
Otsego; and
WHEREAS, Across the street from The Otesaga Resort Hotel are the two
tennis courts built in 1961; the other major amenity for the hotel
guests is the Leatherstocking Golf Course, which is considered to be one
of the most scenic and challenging courses in the northeast; and
WHEREAS, On two different occasions The Otesaga Resort Hotel has been
used for purposes other than a hotel; from 1920 to 1954, it was used by
the Knox School as an exclusive two-year finishing school and it was
used by American Telephone and Telegraph from 1961 until 1970 as its
data communications training center; in each instance, it continued to
operate as a resort during the summer months; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when businesses
of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention,
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
honor The Otesaga Resort Hotel upon the occasion of receiving the NBT

Bank Distinguished Business Award from the Otsego County Chamber of
Commerce on April 3, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Otesaga Resort Hotel.