Senate Resolution No. 1198

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Paul Grondahl upon the occasion of his
retirement after almost 33 years of distinguished
service to the Times Union

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalists who have diligently and consistently, year
after year, recorded the history of their communities and brought local
news and news of the larger world to their readers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Paul Grondahl upon the occasion of his retirement after almost
33 years of distinguished service to the Times Union to be celebrated at
the 18th Annual Albany History Fair on Sunday, May 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Born in Seattle, Washington, Paul Grondahl moved to nearby
Tacoma, at the young age of six; he earned his bachelor's degree from
the University of Puget Sound; and

WHEREAS, After earning his master's degree in English from the
University at Albany, Paul Grondahl began his distinguished career as
both a reporter and columnist with the Times Union; after almost 33
years of devoted service, he officially retired from this role on
February 17, 2017; when he is able, he will continue to contribute
columns to the newspaper; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 2017, Paul Grondahl began his new job as
the Director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University
at Albany; in his new position, he hopes to expand the institute's use
of digital and social media, plan occasional larger events and bring the
institute's global roster of writers into the area's own diverse
communities; and

WHEREAS, The Writers Institute is chartered by state law and
supported by both the university and private donations; among its
legislative mandates is to select a State Author and State Poet every
two years; in addition to hosting both a visiting writer and film
series, the Institute runs summer writing workshops at Skidmore College
in Saratoga Springs; and

WHEREAS, Paul Grondahl is truly one of the great journalists of his
generation in this community, and he's a gifted writer who throughout
his dedication and commitment to his community, has brought great
distinction to the Times Union; and

WHEREAS, At the Times Union, Paul Grondahl established himself as
both an eloquent wordsmith and a hard-nosed, compassionate newshound
unafraid of asking difficult questions; throughout his career, he
reported on a wide range of stories throughout the region and on five
continents, venturing to Northern Ireland, the Arctic and Antarctica and
Sub-Saharan Africa, where his work in 2003 earned a National Digital
Journalism Award; and

WHEREAS, One of the favorite parts of his job has been interviewing
the countless writers who have come through the Writers Institute; Paul
Grondahl enjoyed talking with Toni Morrison, Isaac Bashevis Singer, John
Updike, and August Wilson, as well as J.M. Coetzee; and

WHEREAS, A truly gifted writer, Paul Grondahl has penned or
co-authored several books, including political biographies of Albany
mayor Erastus Corning and the young Teddy Roosevelt; currently, he is
working on a book about the late Andy Rooney, an Albany native and
longtime CBS News commentator; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his magnanimous career, Paul Grondahl served the
Times Union with intelligence and caring dedication, continuously
striving to effectively fulfill the duties of his position; and

WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with
whom he worked, Paul Grondahl will be remembered for his honesty,
integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of
human problems in his official acts; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Mary Grondahl, and
his two children, Sam and Caroline, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Paul Grondahl upon the occasion of his retirement after almost
33 years of distinguished service to the Times Union, and to wish him
continued success in his new position; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Paul Grondahl.