LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Governors Island Alliance upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Gala, and paying tribute to this year's
honorees on June 18, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are enhanced by the concerned and dedicated efforts of organiza-
tions and individuals that generously contribute to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Governors Island Alliance upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honorees, to be celebrated at
its Picnic in the Clouds on the 64th Floor at One World Trade Center, on
Thursday, June 18, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Each year, this esteemed organization is privileged to recog-
nize outstanding members of the community who have made significant
contributions to the New York City community; this year's distinguished
honorees include: EY, an outstanding friend and supporter of the Gover-
nors Island Alliance for many years; Jay Walder, CEO of Motivate, the
global bike sharing company that operates Citi Bike and many others
around the world; and New York City Councilwoman, Margaret Chin, who
represents the many downtown Manhattan communities and Governors Island,
and is a great friend to the Governors Island Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Governors Island, a 172 acre island in the heart of New York
Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to
Brooklyn; it is a work unto itself, unique and full of promise; and
WHEREAS, For almost two centuries, Governors Island was a military
base home to the United States Army and later the United States Coast
Guard; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, the federal government sold 150 acres of Governors
Island to the people of New York, with the Island's governance and fund-
ing jointly shared by the City of New York and State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The remaining 22 acres of Governors Island was declared the
Governors Island National Monument which is overseen by the National
Park Service; and
WHEREAS, Today, the City of New York is responsible for Governors
Island, and subsequently, created the Trust for Governors Island, the
organization charged with the operations, planning and redevelopment of
150 acres of the Island; and
WHEREAS, The Trust for Governors Island is transforming Governors
Island into a destination with great public open space, educational,
not-for-profit, and commercial facilities; in 2014, 30 new acres of park
and public spaces opened to the public for the first time; and
WHEREAS, The Trust broke ground on The Hills, the crowning feature of
the new park; made of recycled construction and fill materials, The
Hills will rise 25-80 feet above the Island, and the summit of the
tallest Hill will provide visitors with a 360-degree panorama of the
Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor, and the Lower Manhattan skyline; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the completion of the new park spaces and
construction of The Hills, the Trust for Governors Island is proceeding
with an ambitious infrastructure program to ready the Island for
expanded tenancy and activity; and
WHEREAS, The Trust for Governors Island has also identified RFP final-
ists for tenancy in Governors Island's historic buildings, which will
help achieve the goal of making the Island an extraordinary public
resource with a vibrant mix of uses and activities; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments 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 the Governors Island Alliance upon the occasion of hosting its
Annual Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on June 18,
2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned honorees, and the Governors Island Alli-
ance.