LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Lawson Boating Heritage Center on
Chautauqua Lake, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Grand Opening and
Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, May 19, 2012

WHEREAS, Recreational boating is fun as well as an enjoyable activity in
which many New York State residents actively participate during the
summer months; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake, Inc. upon the
occasion of hosting its Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony on Satur-
day, May 19, 2012, in Bemus Point, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake is an
IRS Section (501)(c)(3), not-for-profit organization formed of Officers
and Trustees whose passion is preserving, displaying, and presenting as
much of Chautauqua boating history as possible: both its artifacts and
its singular milieu; and
WHEREAS, In November 1918, 32-year-old David S. Lawson purchased the
nineteenth century house, garage, and boat house at 73 Lakeside Drive;
the Lawson Boat and Engine Co, Inc. serviced and stored automobiles at
the street level and stored and serviced boats at the lake level; in
January 2010, David S. Lawson, Jr., agreed to donate the property to a
group of businessmen, and in October 2010, ownership of this historic
structure passed to the Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua
Lake, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, The Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake, Inc.
has restored the former L-S Aero Marine, a 92-year-old lakefront boat
showroom and ship's chandlery at 73 Lakeside Drive, Bemus Point, with
the goal of showcasing Chautauqua Lake's rich boating heritage; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Lawson Center is to preserve the boating
history and the physical presence the Lawson family has established on
Chautauqua Lake, educate and enrich people's lives through the
reflection of the past and reach out to people of all ages by providing
historic and educational boating exhibits; a function of the Lawson
Boating Heritage Center will be presenting classes with workshops, as
well as teaching the traditions and skills of the past with respect to
boat building and restoration; and
WHEREAS, The rich history of the Lawson Boating Heritage Center on
Chautauqua Lake has formed it into the prominent organization it is
today; in so effectively carrying out its mission, the Center exempli-
fies a spirit of community pride, and demonstrates the values of hard
work, cooperative effort and enduring fellowship; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake, Inc. upon
the occasion of hosting its Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony on
Saturday, May 19, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to David S. Lawson, Jr.