LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Cayuga
Lake National Bank

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched by
the faithful efforts of those financial institutions and their leader-
ship who strive to promote economic vitality and serve the public need;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 150th Anniversary of Cayuga Lake National Bank; and
WHEREAS, The First National Bank of Aurora was founded on March 4,
1864, by Henry Wells and Edwin B. Morgan, both of whom also founded
Wells, Fargo and Co. in 1852; and
WHEREAS, In addition, in 1850, Henry Wells was the founder of American
Express, and Edwin B. Morgan founded the NEW YORK TIMES; and
WHEREAS, The meeting to form the bank, which holds national bank char-
ter No. 412, was held at the Aurora Hotel, now known as the Aurora Inn
in Aurora, New York; Henry Wells served as its first president until
November 1875, when he resigned due to ill health and Edwin B. Morgan
became president; and
WHEREAS, The bank was believed to have had the first women on a bank's
board of directors; local resident Emily Howland served on the board
from 1891 to 1929; she was also a women's rights advocate and abolition-
ist who worked with Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Susan B. Antho-
ny; and
WHEREAS, Two Aurora families, the Mosher family and the Zabriskie
family have had several generations of family serve on the bank's board
of directors; there have only been 10 presidents of the bank with the
longest serving being current President G. William (Bill) Ryan; and
WHEREAS, Bill Ryan has served as president for 39 years and has been
an employee of the bank for 54 years, beginning his stellar career as a
teller in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Bill Ryan has been a very active member of the community,
serving on several boards and as a member of numerous local organiza-
tions; he steered the bank through the tumultuous 1980s and the recent
economy beginning in 2008 with record earnings every year; and
WHEREAS, The bank also went through the birth of the computer age
under his tenure, and has kept up with technology products; the bank has
been a generous benefactor to many organizations as well, from little
leagues and Boy Scouts to hospitals and schools; and
WHEREAS, The bank opened a branch in Union Springs, New York, in Janu-
ary of 1960, which became the main office in May of 1976, when the name
was changed to Cayuga Lake National Bank; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body looks with favor upon the strong role
institutions such as Cayuga Lake National Bank play in strengthening the
social and economic fabric of New York's communities, providing growth
opportunities for citizens and businesses alike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Cayuga Lake National Bank; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Ryan, President, Cayuga Lake National Bank.