J 1208: Congratulating Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

 Senate Resolution No. 1208 BY: Senator GRIFFO CONGRATULATING Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Empire State; and 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 Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday, to be celebrated Monday, June 16, 2025; and WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson was born on June 16, 1925; and WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson grew up on a dairy farm in Hartland, Connecticut with three sisters and two brothers; she later lived in Pennsylvania; London, England; Salt Lake City, Utah; Hartford, New York; and Barneveld, New York-the village in which she currently resides; and WHEREAS, In 1952, Bertha Lawson married Howard C. Lawson, and four years after his death in 1995, she remarried to Eugene Penner who passed away in 2020; and WHEREAS, With three children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, Bertha Lawson deeply cherishes time spent with her loving family; and WHEREAS, Passionate about travel throughout her life, Bertha Lawson has visited Cuba, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Wales, Scotland, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii; and WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson is a compassionate and selfless individual, spending much of her leisure time volunteering at various organizations and institutions; for the past 25 years, she has volunteered at Hospice and Palliative Care visiting terminally ill patients and veterans and was instrumental in organizing a walking group which provided much needed support for widows and widowers; and WHEREAS, A testament to her generosity, compassion, and passion for service to others, Bertha Lawson also volunteered at Utah State Prison where she started a church choir for those imprisoned; and WHEREAS, Bertha Lawson, with her zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and WHEREAS, Another passion of Bertha Lawson's is flying; she often recounts the magical feeling of riding in hot air balloons and flying in an ultralight; with her sense of adventure never fading, her most recent flight was with a neighbor at the incredible age of 98; 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, Bertha Lawson has enriched the lives of those around her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the profound 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 magnificent 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 Bertha Lawson upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Bertha Lawson.