LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of and honoring, posthumously,
Levon Helm of Woodstock, New York, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Woodstock, New York, resident and longtime member of The Band
whose distinguished music career spanned more than five decades, Levon
Helm, died on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, A brilliant musician and a beautiful soul, Levon Helm was a
four-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame; he was an accomplished singer, drummer and mandolin player; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Levon Helm was a successful actor, acclaimed for
his roles in "Coal Miner's Daughter," "The Right Stuff," and other
films; his performance of "Dixie Down" at the famous 1976 concert, "The
Last Waltz" is preserved for posterity in Martin Scorsese's 1978 docu-
mentary film; and
WHEREAS, Levon Helm's musical career is among the most-storied in
modern American music, filled with some striking paradoxes: The Band,
with which he made the indelible mark for which he will always be remem-
bered, took rock music back to its most distinctively American place,
yet he was the group's only American member; Helm was a rural Arkansan,
and grew up in the Mississippi Delta, yet he embraced New York's Hudson
Valley as his home; and
WHEREAS, Levon Helm won a remarkable three Grammy Awards in five years
for albums: "Dirt Farmer" in 2007; "Electric Dirt" in 2009 and "Ramble
at the Ryman" in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Very much a part of the Woodstock, New York, and Hudson
Valley community, Levon Helm is survived by his wife, Sandy, and his
daughter, Amy, among many others; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Levon Helm stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and earned the respect and
admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Levon Helm of Woodstock,
New York, leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of
time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and
befriended; he will be remembered as someone who made a positive differ-
ence in the lives of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of and honor, posthumously, Levon Helm of Woodstock, New
York, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Levon Helm.