LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mary Jane Dike upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance
Company on June 11, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to organizations and individuals whose commitment and creative
talents contribute to the cultural enrichment, education and enter-
tainment of their community and the State of New York and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Mary Jane Dike upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company at its Annual Gala, A Silver
Celebration, on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the Troy Country Club, Troy,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company was founded by Ellen Sinopo-
li in 1991 to provide quality performances and educational activities to
the people of the Capital District and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its 25-year history, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance
Company has produced countless celebrated performances, created new
dances and often collaborated with both regional and national artists to
bring its educational projects to over 90 schools throughout the greater
Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company is proud to recognize Mary
Jane Dike for her steadfast and unremitting commitment to the Company
and the arts as a whole, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify
people from all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of
human expression; and
WHEREAS, Mary Jane Dike earned her bachelor's degree from the Univer-
sity of Texas at Austin and her master's degree from the State Universi-
ty of New York at Albany; for numerous years, she held the position of
Chairman of Development Studies at Schenectady County Community College;
and
WHEREAS, A gifted dancer, Mary Jake Dike was a vital member of the
Jean Erdman Dance Company and taught dance at the Chautauqua Institute
Dance Department and Union College; and
WHEREAS, A talented and prolific choreographer, Mary Jane Dike has
choreographed and directed major works for dance companies in New York,
Ohio, and Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mary Jane Dike upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company on June 11, 2016; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Jane Dike.