Assembly Resolution No. 1379

BY: M. of A. Gunther

COMMENDING Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Catskill
Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala, celebrating the
visual and performing arts

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, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
distinguished individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Catskill Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala,
celebrating the visual and performing arts on Saturday, June 16, 2018,
at the Beaverkill Valley Inn in Livingston Manor, New York; and

WHEREAS, Alan Gerry is a cable-television pioneer, entrepreneur and
former Chairman and CEO of Cablevision Industries Corporation, which he
founded in 1956, in his hometown of Liberty, New York; at the time CVI
merged with Time Warner, Inc., in 1996, it was the largest privately
held cable company in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Alan Gerry established the Gerry Foundation, which
supports health care and medical research, education, and economic
revitalization in Sullivan County, and the surrounding region; 10 years
later, he built the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on the original
1969 Woodstock Festival site; and

WHEREAS, Since its opening in 2006, the Bethel Woods Center for the
Arts has served almost three million visitors and provided creative
learning experiences for tens of thousands of children and families; it
has truly blossomed into a cherished world-class cultural center where
the beauty and proud heritage of Sullivan County are intertwined into a
testament to the power of music to produce a cultural awakening; and

WHEREAS, The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will proudly host the
upcoming 50th Anniversary of Woodstock celebration, which represents a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire every generation with live
performances, history, and the expressive spirit of the arts; and

WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts
of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we
celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere
in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the
expression of the soul; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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 Alan Gerry upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Catskill Arts Society at its 3rd Annual Gala,
celebrating the visual and performing arts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Alan Gerry.