Senate Resolution No. 2452

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 105th Anniversary of Daniel R.
Cook Dry Cleaning of New Hartford, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
illustrious pioneer companies of the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 105th Anniversary of Daniel R. Cook Dry Cleaning of New
Hartford, New York; and

WHEREAS, For 105 years the Cook Family has been a vital and
important part of New York's dry cleaning industry; for over a century,
these professionals have experienced many cleaning cycles, but have
always strived to provide their loyal clientele with quality customer
care and dry cleaning of a better kind; and

WHEREAS, Today, Daniel R. Cook owns and operates this
fourth-generation family business, and continues to hold true to its
proud legacy of providing impeccable and respectful service to each and
every one of his customers, truly making them feel as if they were part
of the family; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, Daniel R. Cook's grandfather Henry L.A. "Pop" Cook
opened a tailor shop in Syracuse, New York, and eventually began to
press clothes, developing it into a full-scale dry cleaners; and

WHEREAS, As the national economy flourished, so did Cook's, and by
the start of World War II, Henry L.A. Cook oversaw seven plants and
seven dry stores; during this time, Daniel R. Cook and many members of
his family worked in various capacities at the different stores, whether
it was learning the business or delivering clothes to customers on the
weekend; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, Henry L.A. Cook sold the business, and his son,
Harry, branched out with his own business, opening plants in various
shopping centers; originally, called Westvale Cleaners, he eventually
renamed it Harry L. Cook Dry Cleaning; and

WHEREAS, Harry L. Cook Dry Cleaning also flourished, and grew to
include seven plants and seven dry stores by the end of the 1960s; after
another cleaning cycle, Harry downsized to three plants and two stores
in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Daniel R. Cook diligently learned his craft from his
father, and grandfather, and in 1973, he started his own business,
Daniel R. Cook Dry Cleaning; since then, he has weathered several
cleaning cycles, and continues to treat his customers with the most
respect anyone has ever given them; and

WHEREAS, The success of Daniel R. Cook Dry Cleaning is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its staff, 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 with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges contributions of Daniel R. Cook Dry Cleaning to the local
and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to this
family-owned and operated enterprise, fully confident that it will
continue to enjoy the sparkling success it has enjoyed thus far; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 105th Anniversary of Daniel R. Cook Dry Cleaning of New
Hartford, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Daniel R. Cook.