LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the
Hoosick Falls Monumental Works of Hoosick Falls, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
small businesses within the State of New York which contribute to the
economic health and vitality of the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 125th Anniversary of the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works of
Hoosick Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works was started in Hoosick
Falls, New York, in 1886 by Timothy Hoctor, in partnership with his
cousin Stephen P. Hoctor; and
WHEREAS, The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works provided monuments on a
large scale to the entire vicinity and became widely known; today the
business still manufactures granite and marble memorials on Main Street
in Hoosick Falls; and
WHEREAS, In 1936, the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works was obtained by
the LaBrake Family who sold it in 1946 to the Begin brothers, Antonio
and Raul; and
WHEREAS, The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works has been operated by the
Begin family ever since; together, the two brothers created and sold
some of the finest monuments in its local cemeteries, as well as in
Vermont, the Capital Region and Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, The Begin brothers were originally from Barre, Vermont, a
leader in the granite industry; and
WHEREAS, Antonio Begin first began cutting and carving memorials as a
young man, following in his father Peter's footsteps; Antonio started
his apprenticeship at the Ladrie Stone shed, cutting and shaping round
raised letters in granite; Raul Begin was an expert in sand blast carv-
ing; and
WHEREAS, The Begin brothers came to believe that a monument should be
erected not because a man had died, but because a man had lived; this
became their business philosophy; and
WHEREAS, Antonio Begin's son, David joined his father in the business
and still owns and operates it today along with his wife, Patricia;
their sons, Michael and Patrick have also assisted their parents in
carrying on the family business and philosophy; and
WHEREAS, The history of the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works, and the
people who have worked to keep the small-town business thriving for 125
years, is certainly indicative of the entrepreneurial and innovative
spirit shared by many in the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A small business, such as the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works,
exerts a strong, positive influence on the communities it serves and is
a crucial element in the economy of New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works' success, recognizes its
contributions to the local and State economies, and extends its highest
commendation to the business and its employees, fully confident 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
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works
of Hoosick Falls, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works.