Senate Resolution No. 2372

BY: Senator LARKIN

HONORING Henry VanLeeuwen for his many years of
distinguished service to the Town of New Windsor and
Orange County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Henry VanLeeuwen for his many years of distinguished service to the Town
of New Windsor and Orange County; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his community service, Henry VanLeeuwen,
affectionately known as Hank, served the Town of New Windsor and Orange
County with intelligence and caring dedication, continuously striving to
effectively fulfill the duties of his position; and

WHEREAS, Hank VanLeeuwen came to Orange County, New York, from
Holland when he was eight years old; he has been a New Windsor resident
for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, With a self-described love of New Windsor, New York State
and America, Hank VanLeeuwen spent the majority of his career living the
American Dream, and selflessly volunteering his time and talents to a
variety of business and community organizations; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Hank VanLeeuwen purchased Arkel Motors where his
brother worked as a service manager; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Hank VanLeeuwen constructed a new
building on Route 32 in New Windsor, where he relocated the company and
spent 40 years developing it into the successful truck sales and service
enterprise it is today; he retired from Arkel Motors in 2008, and his
nephew now runs the bustling business; and

WHEREAS, A few years prior to purchasing Arkel Motors, Hank
VanLeeuwen joined the New Windsor Planning Board, where he worked
tirelessly to provide affordable housing for 45 years; he stepped down
from this esteemed position in January of 2017; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Hank VanLeeuwen served on the Orange County
IDA Board for the past 30 years, where his passion and business insight
were instrumental to the organization's success; he contributed to
bringing thousands of jobs to Orange County before he stepped down from
this post this year; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Hank VanLeeuwen has provided service to countless local
organizations, including the New Windsor Lions Club, where he spent 25
years; the Cornwall Hospital Board, where he spent nine years; the
Museum Village Board of Directors, where he spent a total of 13 years;

and the Goshen Rotary, where he has served for the past seven years and
remains a member today; and

WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with
whom he worked, Hank VanLeeuwen 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, Betty Ann, and
their three children, as well as five grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Hank VanLeeuwen over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Henry VanLeeuwen for his many 45 years of distinguished service to
the Town of New Windsor and Orange County; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Henry VanLeeuwen.