LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ireland's Kerry Cattle Society upon
the occasion of hosting a dinner for several New York State members of
the American Kerry Cattle Society at the Lake Hotel in Killarney on
March 30, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to organizations
which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity
which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the New York State members of the American Kerry Cattle Association who
are traveling to Ireland to attend a dinner on their behalf hosted by
the Ireland Kerry Cattle Society at the Lake Hotel in Killarney on March
30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, From March 26 to April 1, 2014, several members of the Ameri-
can Kerry Cattle Society will tour farms in the Killarney, Ireland area
which raise Kerry cattle; and
WHEREAS, Having the dinner at the Lake Hotel in Killarney is appropri-
ate as it was at the hotel in July 1917 that The Kerry and Dexter Cattle
Society of Ireland was formed, which two years later became The Kerry
Cattle Society of Ireland; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1890s and early 1900s, John Hilliard established
the Castlelough herd at the hotel to provide milk and cream for hotel
patrons; and
WHEREAS, Despite the best efforts of the Kerry Cattle Society, whose
efforts are largely responsible for the preservation of the breed, by
the 1980's a serious decline in the number of registered Kerry cattle
was recognized; and
WHEREAS, Through the cooperation of government, groups such as the
Irish Kerry Cattle Society and dedicated individuals, the number of
Kerry cattle had improved considerably by the late 1990s; additional
breeders were established in Great Britain, Australia and North America;
and
WHEREAS, With the recent industrialization of agriculture, exemplified
by genetically modified plants and animals, the importance of preserving
heritage breeds of livestock has taken on a new life and significance;
and
WHEREAS, People in Ireland and the United States, as well as in the
rest of the world, have become aware of the need for healthy food and
the maintenance of the genetic integrity of heritage breeds; and
WHEREAS, Food safety is a concern across the globe and it is important
countries work together to provide an ever increasing world population
with food that is both safe and healthy; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, the members of Kerry Cattle Society hold a special
fondness for the people of Ireland who recognize and cherish this unique
breed of cattle as part of their country's cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, The Kerry cow is touted for its hardiness; this Legislative
Body, representing the citizens of the State of New York thank the
people of Ireland who have worked so hard to persevere the Kelly cattle
breed, and in doing so, have demonstrated the hardiness that typifies
the breed they love; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations such as Ireland's Kerry Cattle Society are
brought to our attention, 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
commend Ireland's Kerry Cattle Society upon the occasion of hosting a
dinner for several New York State members of the American Kerry Cattle
Society at the Lake Hotel in Killarney on March 30, 2014; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ireland's Kerry Cattle Society, and to the members of the New
York State American Kerry Cattle Association.