LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mary Potts upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

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 congratu-
late Mary Potts upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday to
be celebrated with a party held in her honor at the Hudson Lodge of
Elks, in Hudson, New York, on Saturday, April 16, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Mary Potts was born on April 15, 1911, in Alife, Italy; and
WHEREAS, In 1912, Mary Potts arrived in the United States with rela-
tives who had previously migrated and settled in Hudson, New York; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Mary Potts joined the workforce and was
one of the first women insurance agents in the city of Hudson; later, in
1976, she was the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the Office of
Aging; and
WHEREAS, Mary Potts went on to hold a wide array of positions through-
out her lifetime, some of which included operating Howard Hotel and
Restaurant and later Fern's Restaurant and Bar, a Matron at the Columbia
County Jail, and a Clerk for New York State Compensation Board; and
WHEREAS, With a life-long passion for politics, Mary Potts was a dele-
gate to Lyndon B. Johnson's Inauguration, served as the local coordina-
tor for Robert Kennedy Jr.'s 1968 visit to Hudson, and was invited to
Hyde Park, New York, in 1970, to meet with Eleanor Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, from 1976-1980, Mary Potts served proudly as
President of the Mt. Carmel Sodality; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mary Potts upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Potts.