Senate Resolution No. 213

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING the New York State Tug Hill Commission
upon the occasion of celebrating its 45th
Anniversary on November 8, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which are dedicated to increasing
public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of New
York, recognizing the role all citizens have in protecting the
environment and the quality of life in this Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the New York State Tug Hill Commission upon the occasion of
celebrating its 45th Anniversary on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at Grape
N Grog in Camden, New York; and

WHEREAS, For 45 years, the New York State Tug Hill Commission has
diligently worked to enable local governments, private organizations,
and individuals to shape the future of the Tug Hill region, and to
demonstrate and communicate ways that this can be done by other rural
areas; and

WHEREAS, This small, non-regulatory state agency is charged with
helping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill
region which includes 41 towns and 18 villages in portions of Jefferson,
Lewis, Oneida and Oswego counties; and

WHEREAS, The uniqueness of the Tug Hill region and its natural
resources were recognized by New York State in 1972, when it created the
commission; 20 years later, the state legislature passed the Tug Hill
Reserve Act, further recognizing the statewide importance of the
region's natural resources, and in 1998, passed legislation encouraging
the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest
lands; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Tug Hill Commission strives to maintain
the area's notable treasures which include clean water, healthy forests,
productive farms, stable communities, and opportunities for hunting,
fishing, and recreation; the commission works toward these goals by
building the capacity of the region's people to chart their own future;
and

WHEREAS, The commission's programs and services are directed at
strengthening local decision making, saving money through information
sharing and training, and help in coordinating and raising funds for
community improvement projects; the commission uses a grassroots
approach to help create a sound environment and economy for this
special, rural region of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This small, non-regulatory state agency diligently works to
provide technical assistance to local governments, economic development
organizations, and other local groups in land use planning, community
development, and natural resource management; it also provides skill

development and information for local officials through workshops and
issue papers on various topics; and

WHEREAS, The success of the New York State Tug Hill Commission is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director Katie
Malinowski, her staff, and the Board of Directors whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the New York State Tug Hill
Commission which are dedicated to educating the public about our
special, rural regions of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the New York State Tug Hill Commission upon the occasion of
celebrating its 45th Anniversary on November 8, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Katie Malinowski, Executive Director, New York State Tug
Hill Commission.