Senate Resolution No. 3143

BY: Senator KENNEDY

HONORING Jack Connors upon the occasion of his
retirement after 33 years of distinguished service
to Buffalo Business First and the Buffalo Law
Journal

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
Jack Connors upon the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of
distinguished service to Buffalo Business First and the Buffalo Law
Journal; and

WHEREAS, Jack Connors, the longest serving publisher and president
of Buffalo Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal, will officially
retire on January 31, 2018, ending an American City Business Journals
career that began in 1984 with the debut of Business First; and

WHEREAS, A South Buffalo native and resident of Hamburg, New York,
Jack Connors was named Business First publisher and president in late
1986; during this time, the paper not only acquired the Buffalo Law
Journal, but grew into the region's top source for breaking business
news and analysis of area events; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Jack Connors, Business First
has become one of American City's steadiest performers, often
outperforming business journals in significantly larger cities; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Jack Connors provided a
steady hand at Business First, building an exceptional team and
demonstrating how a business journal and its publisher can contribute to
a city's business growth and vitality; and

WHEREAS, Jack Connors began his newspaper career at the Buffalo
Courier-Express, when he joined its staff in 1972; he remained with the
paper until it closed in September 1982, joining the Niagara Gazette,
where he served as a news editor for two years before helping to launch
Business First; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Jack Connors is chairman of the Library Foundation of Buffalo
and Erie County, president of the Hamburg Library Board and a board
member of the Workforce Investment Board; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this esteemed man is past board chairman of
the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System, and past board member
of the Buffalo Niagara YMCA, Hospice Buffalo and Trocaire College, as
well as a past member of the D'Youville College Presidential Advisory
Board; and

WHEREAS, For the past 33 years, Jack Connors rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Buffalo Business First and the
Buffalo Law Journal, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
honor Jack Connors upon the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of
distinguished service to Buffalo Business First and the Buffalo Law
Journal; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jack Connors.