Assembly Resolution No. 155

BY: M. of A. Cahill

CONGRATULATING Annette Finestone upon the occasion
of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of and
valuable asset to the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her
100th Birthday; and

WHEREAS, Annette Chait was born on March 25, 1917, in the Bronx, New
York, to Alexander (Sasha) and Sara Chait, known revolutionaries and
community activists; when she was just under a year-old, she moved to
Accord, New York, in the Hudson Valley where her parents opened Chaits
Hotel and Bungalow Colony four years later; and

WHEREAS, Attending grade and high school in New York City and Hunter
College, Annette Chait graduated from the University of Wisconsin in
1941, with a degree in political science; and

WHEREAS, Returning to New York City after graduation, Annette Chait
was a typist for the War Production Board during World War II; after the
war she was assigned to Japan where she served as head of the personnel
service for the United States War Department; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Annette Chait worked for the New York State
Employment Department after the war as an interviewer and placement
officer for returning soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Annette Chait met her husband Max Finestone in 1951, and
they were married in 1954; after their marriage they moved to Accord,
New York, to assist Annette's parents in operating Chaits Hotel; and

WHEREAS, Upon the passing of her father in 1956, Annette and Max
Finestone purchased Chaits Hotel and owned and operated the hotel until
1978; and

WHEREAS, Upon selling the hotel business in 1978, Annette
Finestone's husband found a bag containing rolls of her film from Japan
while rummaging through old items; she had taken a job in Nagoya, Japan
in 1945, a short time after the bombing of Hiroshima; and

WHEREAS, The Japan that Annette Finestone came upon less than six
months after its destruction and surrender was entirely foreign from her
own experience growing up on her father's Chaits Hotel property outside
of Accord, New York; and

WHEREAS, These forgotten photos of street scenes capturing the
devastation of 1940s Japan along with slides which Annette Finestone
discovered among her possessions have since been displayed throughout

local art exhibits in the United States and in Japan, including three
events in the last decade, and inspired Annette Finestone to continue to
take photographs; she attended SUNY Ulster and spent several years
taking courses in photography and perfecting techniques in developing
film; and

WHEREAS, Upon her retirement in 1988, Annette Finestone traveled
throughout the United States; she participated in the Woman's Convoy to
Central America, a trip promoting international women's solidarity; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone and her husband Max traveled the world
during their time together; these trips were a huge part of her
enjoyment of and interest in life and other cultures; they took their
last international trip to Nicaragua in 2008, moving to Woodland Pond
later that year; and

WHEREAS, On September 3, 2003, the Honorable Maurice D. Hinchey
delivered a stirring tribute to Annette Finestone's beloved husband Max
at the House of Representatives to honor his 81st birthday; noted was
his lifelong fight for social justice, equal opportunity education and
protection of the natural environment all of which Annette championed as
well; also noted was Max's testimony nearly 64 years ago before Senator
Joseph McCarthy defending his own rights of free speech, thought and
assembly upon his being accused of being un-American; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone was recently the celebrated model for a
bronze sculpture, titled "Aging Woman," to be sited at the County
Fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York, previously the site of the Ulster
County Poorhouse between 1828 and 1976; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone currently resides at the Woodland Pond
Retirement Center in New Paltz where she recently took part in "One
Billion Rising", a worldwide mass action event intended to mobilize
people to end violence against women; she has been a staunch advocate
all her life for such causes as economic justice, environmental
awareness, women's rights and racial equality; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone was an active and vital member of the
Woodland Pond Political Affairs Committee and is at the center of
residential life at Woodland Pond; she is known by all and is an
inspiration to all; her typical week includes bus trips, hosting guests
for meals, participating in a variety of programs and enjoying her daily
walks; the staff and residents at Woodland Pond feel privileged to join
her in her 100th birthday celebration; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone, with her zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of her family and friends; she is the loving mother
of two daughters, Laura and Lisa and a son-in-law, David as well as the
adoring grandmother of two grandchildren, Eva and Michael; she traveled
to California in 2015 to attend Eva's wedding and in October 2016,
welcomed her great-granddaughter Celine into the world; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone was designated for special recognition
and honored by this Legislative body on March 25, 2007, on the occasion
of her 90th birthday, an event that was celebrated in the summer of that
year in conjunction with her husband Max Finestone's 85th birthday and
their 55th wedding anniversary, self-proclaimed "Finestone Milestones";
and


WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Annette Finestone has enriched the lives of those around
her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the
quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years;
and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Annette Finestone upon the occasion of celebrating her
100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Annette Finestone.