LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ardith Bennett upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2011 Senior Citizen of the Year Award

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 honor
Ardith Bennett upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2011 Senior Citizen of the Year Award on May 24, 2011, at the New York
State Senior Citizens' Day Celebration; and
WHEREAS, This special event will be held at the Blue Room in the State
Capitol Building in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ardith "Ardie" Bennett is a tireless advocate for seniors in
the Tompkins County area and beyond; she is deeply involved in nearly
every aspect of life at Longview, a residential senior retirement commu-
nity in Ithaca, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ardith Bennett is an active member of St. Paul's United Meth-
odist Church, serving as a greeter and as an assistant with mailings;
she also sews sleeping bags for the homeless with a group named My
Brother's Keeper; and
WHEREAS, Ardith Bennett devotes a great deal of her time to Wonderful
Wheelchairs, a program conducted by RSVP volunteers in which old, poorly
operating manual wheelchairs are repaired, refurbished and made avail-
able to persons in the Ithaca area who are in need; and
WHEREAS, Ardith Bennett is a member of Ithaca College Toastmasters, as
well as a participant in Longview's Mad Hatter Kazoo Band; she is also
affiliated with the Intergenerational Choir, and Quilter's Dream, a
group which brings together Longview and Ithaca College student quil-
ters; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ardith Bennet has also served on Longview's
Independent Resident Council's food service committee; an indefatigable
driver, she provides transportation for her friends who are in need; she
is a true asset to society; and
WHEREAS, Ardith Bennet has enriched the lives of many through her love
and respect for others, and through the wisdom which comes from many
years of living life to the fullest; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ardith Bennett upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2011 Senior Citizen of the Year Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ardith Bennett.