Senate Resolution No. 2424

BY: Senator RITCHIE

CONGRATULATING Debbie Groom upon the occasion of
her retirement after more than 40 years of
distinguished service to the field of journalism

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals who have
helped shape the history of journalism in their area; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Debbie Groom upon the occasion of her retirement after more
than 40 years of distinguished service to the field of journalism; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from North Syracuse High School in 1974,
Debbie Groom earned a degree in Liberal Arts from Onondaga Community
College in 1976; she went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in Newspaper
Journalism from Syracuse University in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her studies, Debbie Groom began her
revered career as a Bureau Reporter for The Press-Republican where she
wrote stories on schools, county government, town government, village
government and businesses, as well as light features from the northern
part of Essex County; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Debbie Groom relocated to Utica, New York, during
which time she served The Observer-Dispatch as a Reporter, Business
Editor and eventually, Deputy Metro Editor, the esteemed position she
held until June of 2000; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the course of the next 13 years, Debbie Groom
covered all of Oswego County for The Post-Standard, working tirelessly
each day to inform her readers on the issues affecting their lives and
community; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Groom was then a Reporter and Managing Editor for
The Valley News of Fulton, New York, for a short time before serving as
a Features Copy Editor for The Watertown Daily Times; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering passion for both
agriculture and her community, Debbie Groom will officially retire as a
Reporter and Editor for Empire Farm & Dairy magazine, as well as a
Reporter and Writer for the Oswego County Weeklies; and

WHEREAS, After an extraordinary career which traversed more than
four decades, Debbie Groom truly earned the admiration, esteem and
affection of her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Groom has, throughout her career and purposeful
life, served her community with integrity and devotion, continuously
striving to meet the needs of her readers through entertainment and
enlightenment; and

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; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Debbie Groom upon the occasion of her retirement after more
than 40 years of distinguished service to the field of journalism; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Debbie Groom.