LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Thomas Clingan upon the occasion of his
retirement as Clerk for Albany County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have devoted
themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their community
and the needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Thomas Clingan upon the occasion of his retirement as Clerk for Albany
County and recognition at the Pinkster Celebration to be celebrated on
Friday, June 7, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Pinkster Celebration celebrates the enduring history of
the City of Albany, honors the service of those who maintain and study
precious documents and fosters the University Club Foundation's steward-
ship of the National Register-listed clubhouse; and
WHEREAS, Albany County Clerk Thomas Clingan, the longest-tenured
elected county clerk in county history, will retire in December of 2013
after 25 years in the position; as the record-keeper of one of the
oldest counties in America and custodian of an archive spanning four
centuries, it is worth noting that his quarter-century run is unmatched
since it became an elected position in 1750; and
WHEREAS, A Cohoes resident, Thomas Clingan brought to the job an
unruffled demeanor, an accountant's attention to detail and a modest
political ego comfortable with remaining out of the limelight; he was
efficient, responsive and worked well with all governmental leaders; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Clingan's previous positions included budget director
and assistant county executive; among his career highlights, he oversaw
construction of a new Hall of Records on Tivoli Street in 2001; instal-
lation of a new digital imaging system for title searches and other real
estate records in 2002; and a consistent emphasis on customer service;
and
WHEREAS, Despite the rapid digitalization of records, printed material
and archival items continue to accumulate; the 100,000-square-foot Hall
of Records has gone from about 40 percent full to about 90 percent
capacity currently over the past 12 years; and
WHEREAS, A native of Glen Cove, Long Island, Thomas Clingan came to
the University at Albany as a freshman in 1969 and never left the area;
he earned his bachelor's degree in history and a master's of public
administration from U Albany; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Carol, and their four
daughters, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with whom
he worked, Thomas Clingan will be remembered for his honesty, integrity,
keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of human problems
in his official acts; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Thomas Clingan upon the occasion of his retirement as Clerk for
Albany County and recognition at the Pinkster Celebration to be cele-
brated on Friday, June 7, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Thomas Clingan.