Senate Resolution No. 2378
BY: Senator STEC
HONORING former Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little upon
the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2022 Liberty Bell Award by the Franklin County Bar
Association on May 6, 2022
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves through
professional excellence and who have made significant contributions to
the quality of life of citizens in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
former Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2022 Liberty Bell Award by the Franklin
County Bar Association to be celebrated at its Annual Law Day Dinner on
Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Liberty Bell Award, given each year by local bar
associations, honors exemplary citizens within the local community; the
award recognizes outstanding service performed by a non-lawyer citizen,
who volunteers their time and efforts to serve the community; Elizabeth
O'C. Little is truly deserving of this prestigious accolade; and
WHEREAS, Such service may include activities which promote a better
understanding of America's form of government, stimulating a deeper
sense of individual responsibility to the end that citizens recognize
their duties as well as their rights; and
WHEREAS, Senator Elizabeth O'C. "Betty" Little was elected in 2002
to represent the Adirondack/North Country residents of the 45th Senate
District, where she served with honor and distinction from 2003 through
2020; and
WHEREAS, The longest serving female Republican Senator in the
history of New York State, Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little has had many
legislative accomplishments, including the passage and voter approval of
five State Constitutional Amendments which she sponsored to enhance the
quality of life for her constituents; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little chaired the
Senate Local Government Committee, the Tourism Committee and the Housing
Committee for numerous years; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth O'C. Little's many years of public service have
been defined by a practical, straightforward and hands-on style; she
began as a member and later Chair of the Town of Queensbury Recreation
Commission; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Elizabeth O'C. Little was elected to serve as an
At-Large Supervisor to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for the
Town of Queensbury, where she served on numerous boards and committees
and as County Budget Officer in 1990 and 1991; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Elizabeth O'C. Little won a special election to
serve in the New York State Assembly, and would serve as an
Assemblywoman until winning election to the Senate; and
WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to our Nation's
veterans, Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little proudly sponsored Patriot Plans
I and II to expand the services and benefits available to service men
and women and their families; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth O'C. Little resides in Queensbury, New York, and
is the proud mother of six children and the loving grandmother of 18
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Elizabeth O'C. Little has
displayed throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor former Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2022 Liberty Bell Award by the Franklin
County Bar Association on May 6, 2022; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to former Senator Elizabeth O'C. Little.
