Senate Resolution No. 4821

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the
occasion of hosting its 37th Annual Sakura Matsuri
on April 28, 2018

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its
37th Annual Sakura Matsuri; the spring season and the cherry blossoms
will be celebrated at the Opening Ceremony at the Garden on Saturday,
April 28, 2018; and

WHEREAS, People from all across the State of New York eagerly
anticipate the change of season from winter to spring; the sound of the
peepers in the quiet night air, the fresh smell of new green grass, the
sweet blossoms of the trees, and the cheerful flowering bulbs that have
sprung from the cool brown earth; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is proud to welcome
tens of thousands of guests who will revel among the spring flowers, to
the Garden for Sakura Matsuri weekend, truly making it "New York City's
Rite of Spring"; last year, more than 84,000 individuals visited the
spectacular Garden; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an independent nonprofit
institution, whose laboratory administration building was unanimously
designated a New York City landmark in 2007; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been devoted to research,
education, and the display of horticulture since it was first founded in
1910; it consists of 52 acres of land, and has a variety of specialty
gardens which houses the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, the Osborne Garden,
glass aquatic plant house, an art gallery, climate controlled plant
displays, and a famous 500 year-old shogun lantern; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden welcomes over 800,000 visitors
annually and houses over 300,000 specimens of plants used for extensive
botany research as well as holds 10,000 diverse species of plants in its
gardens, and produces publications used for garden design, techniques,
and education about invasive plant species while promoting the use of
native plants; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Spring Gala is instrumental in
supporting its efforts by providing educational programs, which range
from adult to children's classes; it also offers numerous internships
for students, performs research on plant systematics, and presents its
garden to the communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its President, Scot Medbury, and his

staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and
the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations 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 Brooklyn Botanic Garden upon the occasion of hosting its
37th Annual Sakura Matsuri on April 28, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Scot Medbury, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.