LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Richard and Cornelia Dopkins upon
the occasion of celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary

WHEREAS, Richard Harry Dopkins and Cornelia Clarke Lewis were united in
marriage on April 23, 1965, in East Aurora, New York; the couple had
their ceremony performed by the bride's father, Reverend Burdette Gibson
Lewis; and
WHEREAS, They are the proud parents of Anne Elizabeth Dopkins, Dr.
Jane Dopkins Broecker, and Seth Dopkins, and the loving grandparents of
Ellery, Eliza, Lewis, Owen, and Graham; and
WHEREAS, Richard Dopkins is a lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York,
and Senior Counsel with the law firm of Hodgson Russ who has faithfully
represented many Western New York family-owned businesses along with
public entities including the City of Buffalo with unyielding integrity;
and
WHEREAS, Cornelia Lewis Dopkins is a retired educator who has devoted
her adult life to education in Western New York at the Buffalo Seminary
and the Nichols School for twenty-five years in a variety of roles
including Dean of the Faculty and Head of the Middle School; and
WHEREAS, Richard and Cornelia Dopkins have always remained active in
advancing cultural organizations in Buffalo such as the Buffalo Musuem
of Science, Erie County Botanical Gardens, Harvard-Radcliffe Club of
Western New York, Larkin Center, and Westminster Presbyterian Church;
and
WHEREAS, Their love, devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness
to their family, friends and all who know them are their hallmark and
tradition; and
WHEREAS, Richard and Cornelia Dopkins have lived and continue to live
their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a
deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals, and in so
doing, they have inspired others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, This meaningful occasion is the result of the love, hard work
and spirit this couple has invested in their marriage; and
WHEREAS, These same values they have passed to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, Richard and Cornelia Dopkins have touched the lives of their
family and many friends through the shining example of their marriage,
which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess
for one another; and
WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a mile-
stone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an occa-
sion of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should be
memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Richard and Cornelia Dopkins upon the occasion of celebrat-
ing their 50th Wedding Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Richard and Cornelia Dopkins.