LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the North
Country Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those organizations which substantially contribute to
the economic vitality of their communities and the entire Empire State;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, to
be celebrated on Friday, January 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The North Country Chamber of Commerce was established in
1912, the same year the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was formed; it was
originally called the Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Once known as a small municipal chamber of commerce, the
North Country Chamber of Commerce is now the largest business and
economic development alliance in northern New York with more than 4200
members; it is one of the five largest chambers in the state; and
WHEREAS, The North Country Chamber of Commerce has been an advocate
for business and economic prosperity in the area since its founding; it
is one of only five accredited chambers in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Some of the early concerns of the North Country Chamber of
Commerce were: the need for adequate water and street lighting at Under-
wood Paper Mills along with the Plattsburgh Wall Paper Company in
Plattsburgh; an industrial and agricultural exhibit at the D & H Rail-
road station; and a "Welcome Home" demonstration on the 4th of July in
1919 for Clinton County soldiers returning from Europe after serving in
World War I; and
WHEREAS, Some of the more recent accomplishments of the North Country
Chamber of Commerce include: the successful redevelopment of Plattsburgh
Air Force Base as a multi-modal industrial park, museum complex, resi-
dential neighborhood, and international airport; the construction of the
Port of Excellence at the Champlain/Lacolle border crossing connecting
New York to Quebec, eliminating truck delays and fostering the growth of
tourism; the development of the Quebec-New York corridor and the signing
of an Agreement with the Federation des chambres de Commerce du Quebec
to work cooperatively in order to maximize economic opportunity in both
Quebec and New York; the organization of four Quebec-New York Economic
Summits hosted by the Governor of New York and Premier of Quebec; and
the relocation of the small Clinton County Airport to the former Air
Force Base, creating Plattsburgh International Airport which increased
the number of passengers from just over 2000 to over 125,000 per year in
a four year period; and
WHEREAS, Garry Douglas, President & CEO of the North Country Chamber
of Commerce, also serves as Co-Chair of the North Country Regional
Economic Development Council; and
WHEREAS, The North Country Chamber of Commerce was the Empire State
Development Not-For-Profit of the Year in 2000; it also received the New
York State Business Council Chamber of the Year Platinum Award in 2011;
and
WHEREAS, A solid cornerstone of the community, the North Country Cham-
ber of Commerce will continue to evolve and to improve, always seeking
out new ways of helping its members and community; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional organization and its contributions to the local
and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the North Country Chamber of
Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Garry Douglas, President & CEO of the North Country Chamber
of Commerce.