LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Philip Morris upon the occasion of
receiving a Champions for Children of the Capital Region Award by the
Northeast Parent & Child Society

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 Philip Morris
upon the occasion of receiving a Champions for Children of the Capital
Region Award by the Northeast Parent & Child Society on May 1, 2012, in
Troy, New York; and
WHEREAS, Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors Theatre, the region's perform-
ing arts center based in Schenectady, New York, is a force of nature;
since taking over the historic institution in 2002, he has guided Proc-
tors through exponential growth and expansion; initiatives have included
the addition of two smaller theaters, a powerplant that heats and cools
neighboring buildings, along with an education center and public access
television; and
WHEREAS, Proctors has become more than a venue; it is a cultural,
economic and educational force for the entire Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, In addition to dramatically increasing the number of enter-
tainment events designed to appeal to children, Philip Morris has led a
groundbreaking initiative to work with schools and other organizations
to expose children to the arts; over 30,000 students from throughout the
region attend "School Day" programs each year, with 10,000 more attend-
ing Giant films at the GE Theater; and
WHEREAS, The Education Department at Proctors holds an annual art
contest exhibited in the Fenimore Gallery; operates an extensive summer
program with 10 different arts camps; runs a regional arts and education
public access television channel focusing on presenting student materi-
al; produces the regional televised game show, Masterminds, with 32 high
school teams participating; operates a four-day per week middle school-
aged media program; and has developed a full time alternative ninth
grade English program for at risk students in Schenectady and Albany;
and
WHEREAS, Philip Morris has led the charge of Proctors into the schools
through the learn projects, theater workshops and by donating books to
those in need; he has been recognized with the Golden Apple Award by the
Schenectady City School District and in 2011, was named a Patroon by
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Philip Morris upon the occasion of receiving a Champions for Chil-
dren of the Capital Region Award by the Northeast Parent & Child Socie-
ty; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Philip Morris, CEO, Proctors Theatre.