LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Ruth Werts upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday on April 1, 2012

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ruth
Werts upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are vital parts of, and valuable
assets to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 2, 1912, in Newark, New York, Ruth Werts was
the sixth of seven children born to Charles and Belle Espenmiller; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, April 1, 2012, at the DeMay Living Center in
Newark, New York, Ruth Werts will celebrate her 100th Birthday; all of
her 11 nieces and nephews, along with her sons' families, five grand-
children and several of her eight great-grandchildren will attend this
auspicious celebration; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Werts graduated from Washington High School in Newark,
New York, attended RIT and graduated from SUNY Cortland with a teaching
degree; and
WHEREAS, Upon her marriage to the late Franklin E. Werts on August 25,
1939, she and her husband took over the family farmhouse on West Avenue
in Newark and turned it into one of Newark's unique residential proper-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Werts taught Kindergarten in the East Palmyra and Newark
schools for 25 years; and
WHEREAS, The mother of two sons, Kurt and Doug, Ruth Werts has five
grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; in addition, she has 11
nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, A Merit Cup recipient in 1930, among Ruth Werts' varied
hobbies and interests are: sewing, knitting, painting, square dancing
and bridge; she is a member of the Park Presbyterian Church, Tuesday
Club, Friends of Library, Country Kuzins Square Dance Club, Newark Arts
Club and Newark Country Club; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman, who has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life, has inspired all those around
her; and
WHEREAS, This beloved senior citizen has enriched the lives of those
who have been privileged to know her through her joyous and sincere love
for others, and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which come only
from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Ruth Werts upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ruth Werts.