LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Harry and Ann Burt upon the occasion of
being named the 2014 Citizens of the Year by the Geneva Area Chamber of
Commerce on April 24, 2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Harry and Ann Burt have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Harry and Ann
Burt upon the occasion of being named the 2014 Citizens of the Year by
the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce; this momentous occasion will be
celebrated at the Chamber's 2014 Citizens of the Year Dinner on Thurs-
day, April 24, 2014, at Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York; and
WHEREAS, Harry and Ann Burt have been called upon to contribute their
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and have
always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, For more than 30 years, Harry and Ann Burt have been instru-
mental in the growth and expansion of Happiness House, an educational,
residential, health and human service organization that provides the
highest quality programs and services for children and adults with disa-
bilities and their families in Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Wayne Coun-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Icons within their community, Harry and Ann Burt have made
countless and significant contributions to the Finger Lakes Region and
have given of their time and talents to the arts, youth and community
development, education, healthcare and are strong advocates for individ-
uals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Ann Burt received Happiness House's Outstanding
Board Member of the Year Award in recognition of her faithful service to
the Board for three decades; she also served on the compliance and inci-
dent review committees and is a retired Nursing Administrator; and
WHEREAS, Harry Burt serves on the Town of Geneva's Zoning and Planning
Board and on the Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) Foundation Board
of Directors; in 2012, FLCC recognized him with The Donald M. Mawhinney
Trustee Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Harry Burt served as a member of the Geneva
Chamber of Commerce, as well as past president and honorary member of
the Clifton Springs Rotary Club which named him a Paul Harris Fellow in
1994; he retired from the esteemed position of President of Ontario
National Bank in 1995; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their three loving children,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and rejoice in
their achievements; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Harry and Ann Burt have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Harry and Ann Burt have displayed
throughout their lives; 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, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Harry and Ann Burt upon the occasion of being named the 2014 Citi-

zens of the Year by the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Harry and Ann Burt.