LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Benjamin P. Coe upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2011 Israel A. Shapiro Award by the
Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Benjamin P.
Coe upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2011 Israel
A. Shapiro Award by the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of
Commerce, to be celebrated at its 60th Annual Membership Dinner on
Thursday, February 2, 2012, in Watertown, New York; and
WHEREAS, This particular honor is presented annually to an individual
for their contributions and service to the community; the award was
established by Arnold L. Shapiro to honor the memory of his father, a
long time business leader in the Watertown community; a director of the
Chamber at the time of his father's death in 1952, Mr. Shapiro sensed a
need in Watertown for a symbolic annual recognition of exceptional lead-
ership on behalf of the city; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Coe was the Founding Executive Director of the Tug
Hill Commission; he also started the Volunteer Center now known as the
Volunteer Transportation Center, and still remains a driving force of
this organization as a member of the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Coe has been an active Rotarian for more than 40
years; a humble man, he is a true asset to the Watertown community and
exemplifies what it means to be a community leader; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of both Bowdoin College, Maine and the Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology, Benjamin Coe is an active parishioner of
the Trinity Episcopal Church of Watertown; a member of the choir, he is
also a former Warden of the Church; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Benjamin P. Coe upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2011 Israel A. Shapiro Award by the Greater Watertown-North Coun-
try Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Benjamin P. Coe.