LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Oren Lyons upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2014 F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper Award on
April 2, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Oren
Lyons upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2014
F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper Award on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at the
Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter, Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Wisdom Keeper Award recognizes community leaders who have
enriched the community with their wisdom, perseverance and passion, and
who honor and respect the teachings of the people of the Onondaga
Nation; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Oren Lyons has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and dili-
gent leadership in his unwavering service to the Syracuse community and
subsequently has been selected for this most prestigious award; and
WHEREAS, Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation
Council of Chiefs, Haudenosaunee, has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless endeavors on behalf of F.O.C.U.S. and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his 83 years, Oren Lyons has committed a lifetime
to leaving a better world for future generations, and to sharing the
values and teachings he has received from his elders and the Earth; and
WHEREAS, Oren Lyons teaches, through his own example, to learn from,
honor, and care for the Earth and all of its peoples; he regularly
reaches out, sharing his wisdom, and offering solutions to individual,
community and global problems; and
WHEREAS, An avid volunteer and community leader, Oren Lyons actively
participates in the Indigenous Peoples of the Human Rights Commission of
the United Nations, and was instrumental in the establishment of the
Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he is co-founder and serves as Chair of the
Board for Plantagon, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Global
Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Oren Lyons
received Sweden's prestigious World's Children's Prize, and the George
Arents Award for Excellence in Social and Environmental Activism; he was
elected into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and named a SUNY Distinguished
Service Professor and Professor Emeritus of American Indian Studies; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Oren Lyons received an honorary Doctor of Law
degree from Syracuse University, as well as a residence hall, Lyons
Hall, named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Oren Lyons has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Oren Lyons has displayed throughout
his life; 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 Oren Lyons upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2014 F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper Award on April 2, 2014; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Oren Lyons.