2015-J118
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. Thomas J. Burr as Director of the
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and his 37 years of
outstanding service
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Dr. Thomas J. Burr as Director of the New York State Agricultural Exper-
iment Station and his 37 years of outstanding service; and
WHEREAS, A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Dr. Burr earned his Master's
degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Arizona, and was
awarded his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of California,
Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Burr joined the faculty at Cornell in 1977 as Associate
Professor of Plant Pathology; and
WHEREAS, Well-known for his many accomplishments in academic study,
Dr. Burr's work with bacterial pathogens and their interaction with host
and non-host plants has led to the development of new strategies which
are used for disease control in viniculture and beyond; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as Director of the New York State Agricul-
tural Experiment Station (NYSAES), Dr. Burr has served with honor and
distinction, earning him the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas J. Burr has also graciously served as chairperson
of the American Phytopathological Society's Bacteriology Committee and
the Chemical Control Committee; furthermore, he is the current counci-
lor-elect for the Northeastern Division of APS and a senior editor of
APS Press; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous accolades for his contributions in
research, Dr. Burr has been honored by the American Phytopathological
Society with the Ciba Geigy and Lee M. Hutchins Award in 1986, and again
in 1990; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Judy, and their three
children, Andy, Allison and Holly, as well as his four grandchildren,
Benjamin, Ryan, Penelope and Michael, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Thomas J. Burr upon the occasion of the completion of his
tenure as Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment
Station; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Thomas J. Burr.