LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Garth Fagan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Rochester Jamaica Independ- ence Ball on July 23, 2011

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan has given not only of his time and energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Garth Fagan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Rochester Jamaica Independence Ball on Saturday, July 23, 2011; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan began his career when he toured Latin America with Ivy Baxter and her national company from Jamaica; Ivy Baxter, and two other famed dance teachers from the Caribbean, Pearl Primus and Lavinia Williams, were major influences on Fagan; raid WHEREAS, In , Garth Fagan studied with , Jose Limon, Mary Hinkson, and , who were all central to his development; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan was director of Detroit's MI-City Dance Company, and principal soloist and choreographer for Detroit Contemporary Dance Company and Dance Theatre of Detroit; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan is the founder and artistic director of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance, now cele- brating its 40th Anniversary season; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan has been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions including a 1998 Tony Award, a 1998 Drama Desk Award, a 1998 Outer Critics Circle Award, a 1998 Astaire Award, 2000 Laurence Olivier Award, a 2001 Ovation Award, and the 2004 Helpmann Award; and WHEREAS, Garth Fagan has been called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and WHEREAS, In October of 2001, Garth Fagan, a native of Jamaica, was presented with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, a national honor bestowed upon him by the Jamaican government; and WHEREAS, In August of 1998, Garth Fagan received Jamaica's Special- Gold Musgrave Medal, for his "Contribution to the World of Dance and Dance Theater"; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a period of constructive involvement, Garth Fagan has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ- ual for the benefit of others which Garth Fagan has displayed throughout his 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 Garth Fagan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Rochester Jamaica Independence Ball on July 28, 2011; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran- smitted to Garth Fagan.