LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring David E. Harden and Ann Harden Babcock
upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2012 Citizen
of the Year Award by the Camden Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those illus-
trious individuals and institutions of the State of New York whose
purposeful endeavors serve to enhance the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
David E. Harden and Ann Harden Babcock upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as the recipients of the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award by the
Camden Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, David E. Harden and Ann Harden Babcock will be honored at the
Camden Chamber of Commerce's 55th Annual Awards Dinner Dance to be held
on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at McConnellsville Golf Course, McConnells-
ville, New York; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Hamilton College, David E. Harden began working
for the family business, the Harden Furniture Company, right out of
college; and
WHEREAS, By 1950, David E. Harden was promoted to sales manager, and
ten years later he assumed the presidency of the venerable Harden Furni-
ture Company which had been founded by his family in 1865; and
WHEREAS, David E. Harden's promotion proved to be a watershed moment,
ushering in a period of unprecedented growth which has carried the Hard-
en name and reputation for quality into furniture industry pre-eminence
throughout the United States and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, David E. Hard-
en has served as a Trustee of Hamilton College and in key roles with
such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America, the Oneida County Plan-
ning and New York Business Boards, the National Association of Furniture
Manufacturers, The New York Design Center, the boards of many prominent
Upstate businesses and financial institutions and the New York State
Golf Association; and
WHEREAS, Over the past six decades, David E. Harden has performed
invaluable service to his community with the highest levels of dedi-
cation, skill, grace, compassion, style and great good humor; and
WHEREAS, A life-long citizen of McConnellsville, New York, Ann Harden
Babcock has been and continues to be an upstanding role model; and
WHEREAS, Ann Harden Babcock's exemplary skills in design and coordi-
nation have substantially contributed to the success of Harden Furni-
ture; her major contributions were in taste, design, fabric selections
and showroom set up; and
WHEREAS, The epitome of a proper lady, Ann Harden Babcock has always
incorporated her own unique flair for design; and
WHEREAS, Ann Harden Babcock's perpetual support and compassion have
enriched the lives of the employees at Harden Furniture Company, as well
as the members of her church community where she remains an active and
devoted congregant; and
WHEREAS, Ann Harden Babcock was married to the late Gordon Babcock and
is the proud mother of two children; 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, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor David E. Harden and Ann Harden Babcock upon the occasion of their

designation as the recipients of the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award by
the Camden Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to David E. Harden and Ann Harden Babcock.