Senate Resolution No. 1680

BY: Senator LITTLE

HONORING Lois Clermont upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award by the New York State Associated
Press Association on June 1, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalists who have diligently and consistently, year
after year, recorded the history of their communities and brought local
news and news of the larger world to their readers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lois Clermont upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York State Associated
Press Association, to be celebrated at its Annual News Awards Banquet on
Saturday, June 1, 2019, in Saratoga Springs, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a New York State
Associated Press Association (NYSAPA) member, media outlet reporter,
editor, producer, broadcaster, executive, technician or other newsroom
staff member whose work has made a significant and impactful
contribution to New York journalism; Lois Clermont is truly deserving of
this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, After earning her journalism degree from SUNY Morrisville,
Lois Clermont began her 42-year career as a proofreader with the
Press-Republican; by the mid-1980s, she served as the City Editor, and
then the News Editor; in 2012, she was promoted to the title of
Editor-in-Chief, the position from which she officially retired in 2018;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Lois Clermont covered a wide range
of big stories in the North Country including the 1980 Winter Olympic
Games in Lake Placid, the 1995 closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base,
the 1998 Ice Storm, and the 2015 prison break from the Clinton
Correctional Facility in Dannemora; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Lois Clermont, the
Press-Republican was the recipient of the 2016 Newspaper of the Year
Award by the NYSAPA for its coverage of the brazen escape; and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as Editor-in-Chief, Lois Clermont earned
the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; she was always
available to lend a helping hand whenever needed, whether it was
assisting a co-worker or providing information to AP reporters, editors
and photographers with information and images to be distributed by the
news agency; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lois Clermont upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York State
Associated Press Association on June 1, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lois Clermont.