LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John and Margot Ernst upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the 2012 Harold K. Hochschild
Award by the Adirondack Museum

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
and Margot Ernst upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
the 2012 Harold K. Hochschild Award by the Adirondack Museum on July 28,
2012; and
WHEREAS, The Harold K. Hochschild Award is dedicated to the memory of
the museum's founder, whose passion for the Adirondacks, their people
and environment inspired the creation of the Adirondack Museum; since
1990, the museum has presented the award to a wide range of intellectual
and community leaders throughout the Adirondack Park, highlighting their
contributions to the region's culture and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, John and Margot Ernst divided their time between New York
City and Elk Lake Lodge, a family-owned resort near North Hudson,
located in the 12,000-acre Elk Lake-Clear Pond private preserve which
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC called "the jewel of the Adirondacks"; John and
Margot Ernst are involved in public service through their work with
nonprofit organizations in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Margot Ernst was co-chairman of the committee to establish an
endowment for the newly created News Bureau at North Country Public
Radio; she is on the board of directors of the New York State Audubon
Society and secretary of the board of directors of the National Audubon
Society; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Rachel Carson Awards Council, which selects
awardees and promotes education and information on the environment,
Margot Ernst is co-chairman, with John, of the board of directors of the
George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian,
Smithsonian Institution; she has served on the Board of Trustees of the
Adirondack Museum and is a retired curator and Associate Director of the
Japan Society Gallery; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1960s John Ernst's grandfather donated the first
conservation easement in New York State on the land surrounding their
property on Elk Lake, preserving public access on trails to the Dixe
Mountains and Panther Gorge and on to Mount Marcy; and
WHEREAS, John Ernst was treasurer of the New York League of Conserva-
tion Voters, is past president of the Adirondack Landowners Association
and treasurer of the board directors of the Adirondack Community Trust;
he is a former chair and current director of the Adirondack Council; and
WHEREAS, John Ernst is on the Executive Council of North Country
Radio, a board member of the Adirondack Center for Writing, the Open
Space Institute and Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation; in addition, he
is a board member of the National Museum of the American Indian, Smith-
sonian Institution; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John and Margot Ernst upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2012 Harold K. Hochschild Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John and Margot Ernst.