LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Erie and Niagara Insurance Association
upon the occasion of receiving the Business of the Year Award from the
Clarence Chamber of Commerce on February 25, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those busi-
nesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves through
outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and enduring
commitment to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Erie and Niagara Insurance Association upon the occasion of receiving
the Business of the Year Award from the Clarence Chamber of Commerce;
and
WHEREAS, Erie and Niagara Insurance Association will be honored at the
Clarence Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner to be held at
Samuel's Grande Manor on Thursday, February 25, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In 1875, 59 area farmers met in Swormville, New York, mutual-
ly pledging to pay any member for losses suffered by fire or lightning,
and signed an agreement for what was to become the first farmers' co-op-
erative assessment company in Western New York; and
WHEREAS, Originally known as the Erie and Niagara County Farmers'
Association, the group had 4,300 members by 1884, and in 1887, it was
incorporated under New York State Insurance Law regulating insurance
companies; and
WHEREAS, Operating out of its original location in Swormville until
May 1, 1923, the company moved throughout the years as its scope and
constituency grew; it now resides in a 30,000 square foot facility
located in the Town of Clarence, New York; today, Erie and Niagara
Insurance Association serves over 71,000 policyholders, making it one of
the largest cooperatives in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Erie and Niagara Insurance Association has been fortunate
from its beginning to have people of vision as well as insurance and
financial prowess to make the company the sparkling success it is today;
and
WHEREAS, As a result of being owned by the policyholders, all of the
employees and board members of the past, present and future serve as
stewards of the company and it is this sense of commitment that is
evident every day; and
WHEREAS, Erie and Niagara Insurance Association's mission is to
provide its policyholders and agents with quality products and service
in a timely fashion -- serving their needs and meeting all contractual
obligations, and to build a stable, profitable business organization
supported by quality people who share its commitment to excellence; and
WHEREAS, The growth of the company can be attributed to many reasons,
including the company's appointment of independent agents, expanded
coverages provided to policyholders, as well as a series of mergers with
other regional associates; Erie and Niagara Insurance Association also
prides itself with keeping abreast with technological advances and
pursues the use of technology to service its policyholders; and
WHEREAS, Behind the name, the policy and the building are its people;
a stable workforce of 67 is key to the company's success; their efforts
to maintain personal contact while upgrading technology, have consist-
ently placed them among the favorites when rated with their peers; and
WHEREAS, Erie and Niagara Insurance Association remains a niche compa-
ny used by the independent agents to insure rural upstate New York prop-
erty; although most of their business is based in western and central
New York, their independent agency force across the state has increased

steadily with now more than 250 agents, many with multiple locations,
throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the Erie and Niagara Insurance Association's success, recognizes
its contributions to the local and State economies, and extends its
highest commendation to the corporation and its employees, fully confi-
dent that, in its future, it will enjoy the same success which has so
characterized its past; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Erie and Niagara Insurance Association upon the occasion of
receiving the Business of the Year Award from the Clarence Chamber of
Commerce on February 25, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Erie and Niagara Insurance Association.