Senate Resolution No. 2682

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Audrey Hawkins upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Spirit of the
Arboretum Award by The Pine Hollow Arboretum on
January 23, 2020

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals within the great State of New York that are dedicated to the
vital work of environmental protection; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Audrey Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation as a recipient of
the Spirit of the Arboretum Award by The Pine Hollow Arboretum to be
celebrated at its second Annual Winter Gathering on Thursday, January
23, 2020, at Pat's Barn in Rensselaer, New York; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Hawkins is receiving this prestigious award for her
steadfast and unremitting commitment to The Pine Hollow Arboretum; a
close friend of Founder Dr. John Abbuhl, she was one of the original
Trustees of the Arboretum; and

WHEREAS, Through the outstanding efforts of individuals such as
Audrey Hawkins, The Pine Hollow Arboretum strives to shape the next
generation of environmental stewards, educators and leaders; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2007, The Pine Hollow Arboretum strives to
preserve, manage and enhance native and introduced species of trees,
shrubs and other plants in a natural environment; its horticultural
collection consists of over 3,600 unique trees, shrubs and other woody
plants from around the world, some of which are rare and/or endangered;
and

WHEREAS, After 15 years as a volunteer with the Red Cross Blood
Program, Audrey Hawkins began her long and distinguished career in the
horticulture field; she is a Master Gardener with the Cornell
Cooperative Extension, and became involved with the Washington Park
Conservancy where she was instrumental in identifying the trees in the
Park; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Fort Orange Garden Club, Audrey Hawkins
also helped identify the trees in the Albany Rural Cemetery, and several
years later, she and a group of fellow gardeners compiled a brochure for
a "Tree Walk in the Cemetery"; and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of individuals such as Audrey Hawkins who work tirelessly on
behalf of protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of present
and future generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Audrey Hawkins upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Spirit of the Arboretum Award by The Pine Hollow Arboretum on
January 23, 2020; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Audrey Hawkins.