LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Margaret Crocker upon the occasion of
her retirement after 26 years of distinguished service to The Discovery
Center of the Southern Tier

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Margaret Crocker upon the occasion of her retirement after 26 years of
distinguished service to The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, to
be celebrated with a retirement party on Friday, May 20, 2016, at Vestal
Hills Country Club, Binghamton, New York; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Crocker, affectionately known as "Pokey," has served
as Executive Director of The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier since
1989, and will officially retire from this position on Monday, May 30,
2016; and
WHEREAS, Prior to her position at the Discovery Center, Margaret
Crocker was the Executive Director of the Tioga County Council on the
Arts; previously, she worked for 22 years at the Roberson Museum and
Science Center in Binghamton, New York; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Crocker's luminous stewardship has led to a host of
popular and informative exhibits in The Discovery Center; today, there
are 30 play and learn exhibits, including a story garden, television
weather station and a mini grocery market; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Margaret Crocker oversaw a $1.3 million expansion
project to add additional space at The Discovery Center which included
classrooms and performance and exhibit space; and
WHEREAS, The Discovery Center opened at Binghamton's Christopher
Columbus School in 1984, and two years later, it moved to its current
location in Ross Park on Binghamton's South Side; and
WHEREAS, The mission of The Discovery Center is to develop the intel-
lectual, physical and emotional well-being of the children of the South-
ern Tier through participatory exhibits and programs; these exhibits
engage the senses, challenge the mind and offer a diverse framework for
discovery in the arts, sciences and humanities; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Crocker grew up on Binghamton's West Side, in a
yellow farmhouse that her parents bought in 1926; she studied theater at
Lake Erie College for Women and at Kenyon College in Ohio, before
returning to Binghamton University to complete her college degree; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Margaret Crocker moved to North Fenton, New York,
where she currently resides; she plans to spend time with family, write
and travel after her much deserved retirement; and
WHEREAS, For nearly 30 years of outstanding leadership, Margaret
Crocker rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to her
community; she leaves behind a tremendous legacy at The Discovery
Center; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as Executive Director, Margaret Crocker
served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with The Discovery Center, Margaret Crocker
earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Margaret Crocker upon the occasion of her retirement after 26
years of distinguished service to The Discovery Center of the Southern
Tier; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Margaret Crocker.