LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Gary Ralph VanCour upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Gary Ralph
VanCour upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate, to be celebrated on Friday, September 12, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by a
resolution in 2014 and is awarded to individuals who have merited
special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on
behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 23, 1946, in Saranac Lake, New York, Gary Ralph
VanCour is a retired Social Studies teacher and Department Chair for the
Beekmantown Central School District in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Gary Ralph VanCour is a respected community leader who has
dedicated most of his adult life to community service; and
WHEREAS, Gary Ralph VanCour served as President of the New York State
Social Studies Supervisory Association, and is currently the Historian
for the Town of Beekmantown; and
WHEREAS, For the past seven years, Gary Ralph VanCour has been the
Co-Chair for the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee; and
WHEREAS, The Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee was formed
by a group of museum representatives, entrepreneurs, educators, history
buffs, tourism promoters, and others wanting to carry forward the work
of previous commissions to honor those who fought and died in the battle
of September 11, 1814, a critical event in the history of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Gary Ralph VanCour devoted his time and
talent to the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration, insuring that it
continues to be an event of the highest quality; and
WHEREAS, Gary Ralph VanCour is respected for his work in the field of
education and for his dedication to the preservation of local history;
and
WHEREAS, As a member of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Council: Lake
Champlain Region, Gary Ralph VanCour has helped the Adirondack Coast
Visitors Bureau promote heritage tourism; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his esteemed work for the Battle of Platts-
burgh Commemoration Committee, Gary Ralph VanCour served as a leader in
aligning curriculum to the New York State Social Studies Standards, and
has been a community volunteer for various organizations; and
WHEREAS, Today, Gary Ralph VanCour is a loving father and grandfather,
and a musician; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Billie Sutphen VanC-
our, who feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Gary Ralph VanCour, devoted to improving
the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity

and self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gary Ralph VanCour upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by
the New York State Senate, to be celebrated on September 12, 2014; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gary Ralph VanCour.