LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Paul LeClerc upon the occasion of his
retirement after many years of distinguished service to The New York
Public Library

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Paul
LeClerc upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distin-
guished service to The New York Public Library; he officially retires on
Thursday, June 30, 2011; and
WHEREAS, A 1963 graduate of the College of Holy Cross, Paul LeClerc
spent the next academic year studying at the Sorbonne; he returned to
New York City and completed a Ph.D. in French literature with
distinction at Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Paul LeClerc was a member of the faculty of Union College in
Schenectady, New York, from 1966-1979; in 1979, he joined the central
administration of the City University of New York; he left the CUNY
Central Office in 1984 to become Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs of Baruch College, CUNY; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Paul LeClerc was appointed President of Hunter
College; on December 1, 1993 he became President and Chief Executive
Officer of The New York Public Library; and
WHEREAS, For the past 18 years, Paul LeClerc rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to The New York Public Library; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of
The New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc served with loyalty, honor and
distinction; and
WHEREAS, Under Paul LeClerc's luminous leadership and guidance, The
New York Public Library has implemented a targeted series of initiatives
that have made it a worldwide leader in the field of information
collection and distribution; and
WHEREAS, These initiatives include: strategic alliances with the most
important collections in Western Europe, South America, and Russia;
creating for the public's use one of the most advanced IT systems in any
library; creating a robust web site that is presently receiving one
billion "hits" per year and serving readers from 200 different coun-
tries; acquiring prestigious new collections for the research libraries
and achieving substantial new public funding for branch library
collections; systematic renovation and modernization of the Library's
historic buildings; and creating a new Center for Scholars and Writers
at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Paul LeClerc was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique commitment to advancing know-
ledge, strengthening communities and inpiring lifelong knowledge; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with The New York Public Library, Paul
LeClerc earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Paul LeClerc upon the occasion of his retirement after many years
of distinguished service to The New York Public Library; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul LeClerc.