LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Friends
of Green Chimneys' "Birds of Prey Day," to be celebrated on June 3, 2012

WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of this
Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate the
20th Annual Friends of Green Chimneys' "Birds of Prey Day," entitled
"With Wings & A Prayer," offered for all those years in conjunction with
the New York State Falconry Association, to be held at Green Chimneys in
Brewster, New York, on Sunday, June 3, 2012; this year, programs will
include farm tours, tractor rides, wildlife demonstrations, falconers,
and nearly 100 birds of prey; and
WHEREAS, Green Chimneys is a nonprofit organization serving children
with special needs and is dedicated to developing harmonious relation-
ships between children, animals, nature and the environment through an
array of mental health, educational, recreational and vocational
services; the Farm and Wildlife Center is located on the grounds of
Green Chimneys; and
WHEREAS, Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Conservation Center provides
wildlife rehabilitation services primarily dedicated to caring for
injured, orphaned and distressed raptors, and is home to over 300
animals and 40 permanently disabled birds of prey, including an American
Bald Eagle with a permanently injured wing and an Andean Condor; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife
Conservation Center has worked closely with New York falconers in
providing such rehabilitative services and creating educational opportu-
nities for residents, their families and the public to learn about
animals and the environmental resources of this State; and
WHEREAS, The success of these rehabilitative and educational efforts
provides a positive example of Green Chimneys' foundational philosophy
and core values of mutual care, respect and dignity between people,
animals and the environment; and
WHEREAS, A variety of diverse species of animals such as horses,
sheep, donkeys, ponies, pigs, rabbits, goats, poultry, waterfowl and emu
also live at the farm; rare breeds such as Nigerian Dwarf goats, Tunis,
Cotswold and Jacob sheep, Ayrshire and Dexter cows, and Fjord draft
horses are unique attractions at the farm; and
WHEREAS, The Farm and Wildlife Conservation Center is an active member
of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) and holds a "C"
license as an exhibitor of animals with the United States Department of
Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, This event is also a tribute to the environment and a major
fundraiser for Green Chimneys; and
WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, Green Chimneys
Farm and Wildlife Conservation Center has demonstrated the value of
helping children with special needs by introducing nature and animals
into their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Friends of Green Chimneys upon the occasion of the 20th
Anniversary celebration of "Birds of Prey Day"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Samuel B. Ross, Jr., Managing Director, The Friends of Green
Chimneys.