Senate Resolution No. 1853

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater upon
the occasion of celebrating their 50th Wedding
Anniversary

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes great pleasure in paying
tribute to those flourishing marriages that have stood the test of time
to serve as a paradigm for present and future generations; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to congratulate
Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater upon the occasion of their 50th Wedding
Anniversary; the couple celebrated their Golden Anniversary with a
renewal of their vows and an exchange of the original rings at Delta
Lake Inn in Rome, New York, with many family members and friends in
attendance; and

WHEREAS, The couple's 50-year romance began when Sherrie wrote a
letter to David while he was serving his country as an armored personnel
carrier with the 11th Armored Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War;
while he was recovering from a rocket-propelled grenade attack, he
received Sherrie's letter which helped him during his long and arduous
recovery process; and

WHEREAS, David and Sherrie began to correspond more frequently, and
when he returned to the United States in May of 1970, they met in
person; after a whirlwind courtship, they were married five months
later, on September 28, 1971, in a simple ceremony before Judge Jerry
Marshon in a Kansas city courthouse; and

WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, David Kingwater was deployed to Germany
where he participated in war games with their military; after deciding
not to reenlist, he was discharged in December of 1971; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, David and
Sherrie Kingwater settled in Canastota, New York, where he worked for
Diemolding Corporation; after a couple of years, they moved to Oneida
County where he worked for Rome Cable; and

WHEREAS, After 17 years, David Kingwater took a temporary job at
Rome Development Center and then worked in the maintenance department at
the Marcy Correctional Facility for 26 years before he retired; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, David and Sherrie Kingwater bought a house in
Floyd, New York, where they raised their two children, Christopher and
David; today, they are the loving grandparents of three grandchildren;
and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater are and always have been a
tower of strength, support, understanding and limitless love for their
family; and

WHEREAS, Their devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness to
their family, friends and all who know them are their hallmark and
tradition; and


WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater have lived and continue to
live their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always
demonstrating a deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals,
and in doing so, have inspired others to do the same; and

WHEREAS, This meaningful occasion is the result of the love, hard
work and spirit this couple has invested in their marriage; and

WHEREAS, They have passed these same values to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater have touched the lives of
their family and many friends through the shining example of their
marriage, which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they
possess for one another; and

WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a
milestone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an
occasion of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should
be memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater upon the occasion of
celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mr. and Mrs. David Kingwater.