Senate Resolution No. 589

BY: Senator GOLDEN

CELEBRATING the life and career of Mary Tyler
Moore, renowned actress, author, beloved wife and
America's Sweetheart

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the
memory of cherished citizens of the State of New York who distinguished
themselves in their profession and whose talent, wit, charm, intellect
and unique personality permeated all they did; and

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Mary Tyler Moore, who died on
Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at the age of 80; her clever and stylish
performances on two top-rated television shows in the 1960s and 1970s
helped define a new image of American womanhood; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore was the oldest of three children born to
George and Marjorie (Hackett) Tyler Moore on December 29, 1936, in
Brooklyn, New York; she lived on Ocean Parkway in Flatbush, and attended
St. Rose of Lima Parochial School until the third grade; after the
family moved west to California, she attended Saint Ambrose School in
Los Angeles, followed by Immaculate Heart High School in Los Feliz,
California; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore's excellence as an actress transcended the
mediums of television, film, theater and conversation; and

WHEREAS, Six time Emmy award-winning actress Mary Tyler Moore,
perhaps best known for her comic roles on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" as
the frazzled wife Laura Petrie, and as one of television's first
career-woman sitcom heroines in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," often broke
from stereotypical images of women and pushed gender norms; she became a
cultural icon and served as an inspiration for many younger actresses,
professional women, and feminists; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore also starred on the big screen in 1967s
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" and 1980s "Ordinary People," in which she
played a role that was very different from the television characters she
had portrayed, and for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for
Best Actress; and

WHEREAS, A versatile actress, Mary Tyler Moore also appeared on the
Great White Way starring in several Broadway plays including Whose Life
Is It Anyway, and Sweet Sue; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, at the young age of 18, Mary Tyler Moore married
Richard Carleton Meeker; on July 3, 1956, their son, Richard Jr. was
born; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore and her then husband, Grant
Tinker founded MTM Enterprises, Inc.; the enterprise produced "The Mary
Tyler Moore Show" and several other sitcoms and drama television series
such as "Rhoda," "Lou Grant," "Phyllis," "The Bob Newhart Show," "The

Texas Wheelers," "WKRP in Cincinnati," "The White Shadow," "Friends and
Lovers," and "St. Elsewhere," as well as "Hill Street Blues"; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Moore's life was not without tragedy; she lost
her son, Richard Jr. at the young age of 24; she was also diagnosed with
Type I diabetes in 1969, and in 2011, had surgery to remove a
meningioma, a benign brain tumor; and

WHEREAS, After being diagnosed with diabetes, Mary Tyler Moore
became a tireless advocate as the International Chairperson for the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; in 2009, she authored the memoir,
Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes, where she focused
on living with the disease; and

WHEREAS, A practicing vegetarian, Mary Tyler Moore was a long-time
animal rights activist, supporting charities such as the ASPCA and Farm
Sanctuary; she helped raise awareness about factory farming methods and
promoted for more compassionate treatment of farm animals; and

WHEREAS, A woman who humbly acknowledged her own faults, she penned
After All, a memoir describing her struggles with alcohol abuse; and

WHEREAS, Accomplished, compassionate, and witty, Mary Tyler Moore
was a versatile actress who conquered the worlds of stage, television
and film; and

WHEREAS, Survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Robert Levine,
Mary Tyler Moore will always be remembered as the happy girl who throws
her hat into the air to the tune of "Who can turn the world on with her
smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem
worthwhile?"; and

WHEREAS, An inspiration to many, it is the intent of this
Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records this tribute to the memory
of Mary Tyler Moore, that future generations may know and appreciate her
singular talent, admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the
respect and esteem in which she was held; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate and pay tribute to the life of Mary Tyler Moore, whose
legendary talent entertained audiences for many decades; she will be
greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues and fans across New
York State and the Nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert Levine, husband of Mary Tyler Moore.