Senate Resolution No. 1208

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday, to
be celebrated Monday, June 16, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson was born on June 16, 1925; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson grew up on a dairy farm in Hartland,
Connecticut with three sisters and two brothers; she later lived in
Pennsylvania; London, England; Salt Lake City, Utah; Hartford, New York;
and Barneveld, New York-the village in which she currently resides; and

WHEREAS, In 1952, Bertha Lawson married Howard C. Lawson, and four
years after his death in 1995, she remarried to Eugene Penner who passed
away in 2020; and

WHEREAS, With three children, eight grandchildren, and six
great-grandchildren, Bertha Lawson deeply cherishes time spent with her
loving family; and

WHEREAS, Passionate about travel throughout her life, Bertha Lawson
has visited Cuba, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany,
Holland, Wales, Scotland, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson is a compassionate and selfless individual,
spending much of her leisure time volunteering at various organizations
and institutions; for the past 25 years, she has volunteered at Hospice
and Palliative Care visiting terminally ill patients and veterans and
was instrumental in organizing a walking group which provided much
needed support for widows and widowers; and

WHEREAS, A testament to her generosity, compassion, and passion for
service to others, Bertha Lawson also volunteered at Utah State Prison
where she started a church choir for those imprisoned; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson, with her zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Another passion of Bertha Lawson's is flying; she often
recounts the magical feeling of riding in hot air balloons and flying in

an ultralight; with her sense of adventure never fading, her most recent
flight was with a neighbor at the incredible age of 98; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the profound
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
magnificent achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bertha Lawson.