Senate Resolution No. 55

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Marion Roach-Smith upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2016 Literary
Legends Award by the Albany Public Library
Foundation on October 22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those artistic individuals whose creative talents and commitment to
writing contribute to the enrichment of their community and the world,
and to pay homage to a woman whose life of memoir writing stands out as
an inspiration to others; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Marion
Roach-Smith upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2016 Literary Legends Award by the Albany Public Library Foundation;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a Gala on Saturday,
October 22, 2016, at the Arbor Hill/West Albany Branch of the Albany
Public Library, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Albany Public Library Foundation, through
the Literary Legends Award, recognizes outstanding local authors,
illustrators and publishers from the community who are considered
leaders in the field of literature; the Gala is an opportunity to
showcase their literary contributions as well as raise needed funds for
special programs and services provided by the Albany Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Marion Roach-Smith, a well-known contemporary non-fiction
writer based in Rensselaer County who has a unique specialty of helping
others write their memoirs, is being honored for her extraordinary
contributions to the art of letters; and

WHEREAS, Three weeks out of college, Marion Roach-Smith went to work
for The New York Times; four books and countless magazine and radio
essays later, the lessons she learned there - getting it right and
making it short - have informed every piece she writes; and

WHEREAS, Most of Marion Roach-Smith's work is now in the form of
memoir writing, including her most recent book, The Memoir Project, A
Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text on Writing And Life, which she states
is an impertinent, utterly useful book on how to write memoir, and see
your life for what it really is; and

WHEREAS, For 15 years, Marion Roach-Smith taught memoir writing,
which is as simple and as complicated as writing what you know; she also
works with writers across the globe and is a National Public Radio
commentator; and

WHEREAS, Marion Roach-Smith's work includes a large helping of
memoir, including her books The Roots of Desire: The Myth, Meaning and
Sexual Power of Red Hair, a non-fiction piece about the history and
oddities of redheads and their reactions from society, and Another Name
for Madness, a memoir that describes her mother's experience with
Alzheimer's and the family problems that arose because of it; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Marion Roach-Smith is the co-author of Dead
Reckoning: The New Science of Catching Killers with Michael Baden, MD,
and has written for The New York Times Magazine, Prevention, Vogue, Good
Housekeeping, and The Los Angeles Times, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Marion Roach-Smith has given not only of her time and
energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when artistic
creators of such remarkable talent 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
honor Marion Roach-Smith upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the 2016 Literary Legends Award by the Albany Public
Library Foundation on October 22, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marion Roach-Smith.