Senate Resolution No. 2362

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMENDING Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the
occasion of her induction into the Liberty Central
School District Wall of Fame on June 24, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those distinguished citizens who devote their time and
energies to the service of their community and profession, participating
in civic affairs and enhancing the character and quality of life for all
citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the occasion of her induction into
the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame to be celebrated at its
2017 Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at the Liberty
Central High School, Liberty, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame was
created by the Board of Education as a way to honor and celebrate the
outstanding accomplishments of the graduates of the school district and
the daughters and sons of its community; and

WHEREAS, A member of the Class of 1945, Elaine Grossinger Etess is a
vital member of the Liberty community and its history; her family owned
and operated the Grossingers Hotel and Country Club, one of the most
famous hotels in the country; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, Harry and Jennie Grossinger founded Harry
Grossinger's Resort and Country Club in the scenic Catskill Mountains;
it started as a summer boardinghouse which featured kosher cuisine,
however, by the end of World War II, it had become a 600-room, 812-acre
facility which attracted approximately 300,000 guests each year; and

WHEREAS, Today, Grossingers may be most widely recognized as the
inspiration for Kellerman's Mountain Resort in the 1987 film "Dirty
Dancing"; and

WHEREAS, After Jennie Grossinger's death in 1972, her daughter,
Elaine Grossinger Etess and her son, Paul Grossinger assumed ownership
of the resort; under their luminous leadership, the resort reached its
height of success; in 1985, the family sold the resort to a group of New
York City investors; and

WHEREAS, A successful business woman in her own right, Elaine
Grossinger Etess has served as the President of her own company, Elaine
G. Etess Associates since 1985; and

WHEREAS, From 1990-2014, Elaine Grossinger Etess held the title of
Director of Hospitality at Forest Trace, a resort retirement community
in Lauderhill, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Grossinger Etess was the first woman to be elected
an officer of The American Hotel and Lodging Association, holding the

position of President in 1989, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in
1990; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to the
hospitality industry, Elaine Grossinger Etess was selected as the 1991
Woman of the Year by the Executive Women of Hospitality, and the 1992
Executive of the Year by the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society;
and

WHEREAS, Elaine Grossinger Etess was also the recipient of the Doris
L. Crockett Distinguished Service Award by Russell Sage College, the
Sullivan County Business & Professional Woman of the Year Award, and the
Lawson A. Odde Award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, as
well as the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Quality through Diversity
conference for her contribution of promoting diversity and diversity
management through the hospitality industry; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her luminous leadership at the hotel, Elaine
Grossinger Etess was a leading figure in Liberty Central School
District's education system; for 15 years, she served on the Liberty
Board of Education, and was the Chairman of the Education Program
Committee of the New York State School Boards Association; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Elaine Grossinger Etess has been a participant
of the Board of Trustees of both Russell Sage College and Sullivan
County Community College; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and
community service, a period of constructive involvement, Elaine
Grossinger Etess stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and community,
and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly
have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elaine Grossinger Etess upon the occasion of her induction into
the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame on June 24, 2017; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elaine Grossinger Etess.