LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert Harlem, Sr. upon the occasion of
receiving the Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award from
the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce on April 3, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and their model citizenship;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Robert Harlem, Sr. upon the occasion of receiving the Eugene A. Bettiol,
Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award from the Otsego County Chamber of
Commerce at its Annual Banquet and Celebration of Business on April 3,
2009, at the Hunt Union Ballroom on the campus of the SUNY College at
Oneonta; and
WHEREAS, A member of both the New York State and the Otsego County Bar
Associations, Robert Harlem, Sr. was admitted to practice law in the
State of New York in 1953; well known for many years as a great trial
lawyer, he was elected the Otsego County and surrogate court judge in
1972; and
WHEREAS, With widespread support of the bar associations in several
counties, Robert Harlem, Sr. was nominated for supreme court judge in
1978 and was subsequently elected in the Sixth Judicial District; he
retired from the bench in 1991, and resumed a private practice of law
with his son, Richard A. Harlem; and
WHEREAS, A true citizen of Otsego County, Robert Harlem, Sr. believes
in giving back to the region he loves so much; he incorporated the
Oneonta Boys and Girls Club in 1955 and has served on its board there
since and also performed the incorporation of Opportunities for Otsego;
and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Robert Harlem, Sr. has
compiled an impressive record of civic and charitable service; he served
as a director of the Oneonta Country Club from 1982 to 1989 and was
president for two years; a trustee of the Oneonta Elks Club, chairman of
the board of the Oneonta Indians Football Team, Grand Knight for the
Knights of Columbus from 1962 to 1970 and a member of the Fox Hospital
Foundation since 1998; and
WHEREAS, A member of St. Mary's Church for his entire life, Robert
Harlem, Sr. has been a donor for many years as well as serving as the
attorney for the Holy Name Society and Newman House; he has also been
involved with Orpheus Theater and Hartwick College, where he has partic-
ipated in many functions over the years; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert Harlem, Sr. upon the occasion of receiving the Eugene A.
Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award from the Otsego County Chamber
of Commerce on April 3, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Harlem, Sr.