LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Helen Ellett upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

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 a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 16, 1914 in Troy, New York, Helen Ellett and
her family moved to Grafton when she was six years old; though she relo-
cated to Cohoes when she married her husband in 1932, she eventually
returned to the town, where she and her husband ran the general store;
and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, In 1943, during the second World War, when many men went off
to defend their country, Helen Ellett happily accepted when offered the
position of Fire Tower Observer at Dickinson Hill; with a love of hors-
es, she arrived to work each day on horseback, and in 1962 witnessed
from afar, the propane tanker explosion in Berlin; and
WHEREAS, Working alone in the small tower cabin until 1965, Helen
Ellett kept a lookout for enemy planes, and with her typewriter, wrote
articles for THE RECORD; and
WHEREAS, Helen Ellett is only the second female Fire Tower Observer in
the state of New York, and is the subject of a new book, I REMEMBER
WHEN: THE UNTOLD STORE OF HELEN ELLETT, written by Randy Kneer, Presi-
dent of the Friends of Grafton State Park; 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; and
WHEREAS, Helen Ellett has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes 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 Helen Ellett 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 Helen Ellett.