Senate Resolution No. 1512
BY: Senator GRIFFO
COMMENDING Robert Everett, Norman Hill, Shirley
Waters, and Colonel Marinus Willett posthumously
upon the occasion of their induction into the 2023
Oneida County History Center's Dr. David and Carolyn
Ellis Historical Hall of Fame
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals who have
helped shape the history of their area; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Robert Everett, Norman Hill, Shirley Waters, and Colonel Marinus
Willett posthumously upon the occasion of their induction into the 2023
Oneida County History Center's Dr. David and Carolyn Ellis Historical
Hall of Fame, to be honored at the annual Historical Hall of Fame and
Living Legends Awards Celebration at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica,
New York on Thursday, October 19, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1946, the Historical Hall of Fame honors
individuals from Oneida County whom have made an impact on the community
and the world; it's goal is to ensure that noteworthy people in the
Oneida community and their achievements are recorded in local history;
and
WHEREAS, Emigrating from Wales in 1823 and starting his career in
Utica, New York, Robert Everett was a congregational minister, printer,
and noted abolitionist; and
WHEREAS, Preaching against the principles of slavery ahead of his
contemporaries, Robert Everett started a monthly newsletter titled, YCenhadwr Americanaidd, which was distributed to Welsh-American
settlements across the United States from the years 1840 to 1875; and
WHEREAS, With the vision of a united Welsh community that could
influence and support the movement to abolish slavery, Robert Everett's
mission was to persuade new immigrants to become citizens and voters;
and
WHEREAS, Devoting his life to his mission, Robert Everett was an
active station master in the Underground Railroad and encouraged the
Welsh to support the Civil War; referred to as "our Welsh friend" by
Frederick Douglass, he received permission to translate the works of
Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe into Welsh; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, Robert Everett was inducted into the National
Abolition Hall of Fame in Peterboro, New York, in recognition of his
lifelong leadership in the anti-slavery movement; and
WHEREAS, Moving to Utica, New York in the 1940s, Norman Hill was
born and raised in segregated Eufaula, Alabama; he was the first
African-American real estate broker in the City of Utica and a community
leader; and
WHEREAS, After serving the Nation in the United States Air Force,
Norman Hill aspired to purchase a home and worked two jobs to make his
goal a reality; he secured employment as a police officer at Griffiss
Air Force Base, which made it financially possible for him to purchase
his first home; and
WHEREAS, After finding a new found passion for home-ownership and
its ability to foster the economic growth of a community at large,
Norman Hill pursued a career as a real estate broker; and
WHEREAS, An avid supporter of education, Norman Hill co-founded the
ALAGA Civic Club, which sought to encourage children in the Cornhill
Community to stay in school, maintain excellent scholastic standards,
and attend college; also serving on a myriad of community boards, he was
involved with the Cosmopolitan Community Center, Mid-Utica Neighborhood
Preservation Center, Leisure Time Center, and NAACP; and
WHEREAS, A pioneering newspaperwoman, painter, and community
advocate, Shirley Waters attended Rome Free Academy and graduated from
Syracuse University with a BFA in Painting in 1943; and
WHEREAS, Learning the newspaper business at a young age from her
family, Shirley Waters served as Vice President and Secretary at the
Rome Sentinel; and
WHEREAS, Widely admired throughout the newspaper industry, Shirley
Waters was an advocate for and a philanthropist of the arts; she was
instrumental in raising funds to restore the Stanley Theater and worked
to develop the Griffiss International Outdoor Sculpture Park; and
WHEREAS, Receiving many awards for her community service, Shirley
Waters was honored with the Woman of Merit Award for Art, the SUNY
College of Technology Distinguished Service Award, YMCA Salute to Women
Award for Art, The Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, Cultural Vitality
Award, Rotary Club's Roses for the Living Award, Rome/Utica/Herkimer
Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, and the YWCA of Utica selected her for
the Salute to Women Award for distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, Born on Long Island in 1740, Colonel Marinus Willett was a
Revolutionary War hero whose actions helped the Continental Army claim
victory; and
WHEREAS, Having served in the French and Indian War and as an active
member of the Sons of Liberty, Colonel Marinus Willett was second in
command to Colonel Peter Gansevoort at Fort Schuyler and led a
successful attack against the Native American and loyalist camps during
the British siege of Fort Schuyler in 1777; and
WHEREAS, Defending the Fort until 1778, Colonel Marinus Willett left
to join the main army under General Washington; he commanded all the
American troops in the Mohawk Valley from the years 1781 to 1783,
deterring countless raids by loyalists and leading several
counter-attacks, one of which resulted in the death of Walter Butler, a
notorious loyalist leader; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Colonel Marinus Willett returned to New York
City, but remained in public service as a two-term sheriff and one-term
mayor; and
WHEREAS, Passing away at 90 years old, The National Park Service
visitor center in Rome, New York is named in the Colonel's honor; and
WHEREAS, With a tireless and unwavering commitment to their
community, Robert Everett, Norman Hill, Shirley Waters, and Colonel
Marinus Willett devoted their entire life to making the Greater Oneida
area a better place for its citizens to live, work, and play; and
WHEREAS, These extraordinary individuals lived immensely beautiful
lives built on compassion, kindness, and respect for others; they will
be remembered as some of the most significant and enduring civic and
political leaders in the history of Oneida County, and their insight and
strength will forever serve as a beacon of love and hope to the
countless lives they have touched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Robert Everett, Norman Hill, Shirley Waters, and Colonel Marinus
Willett posthumously upon the occasion of their induction into the 2023
Oneida County History Center's Dr. David and Carolyn Ellis Historical
Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the families of Robert Everett, Norman Hill, Shirley
Waters, and Colonel Marinus Willett.
