LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of her designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ- izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of her designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009; and WHEREAS, The President and CEO of Road Runners and the race director of the ING since 2005, Mary Wittenberg succeeded Allan Steinfeld and the late Fred LeBow at the helm of the most celebrated marathon and the premier road running organization in the world; and WHEREAS, The first female President and CEO of and the first woman to lead one of the world's major , Mary Wittenberg previously was a partner at the law firm Hunton & Williams; she is a 1984 graduate of Canisius College and received a law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1987; and WHEREAS, Under the outstanding leadership of Mary Wittenberg, New York Road Runners created the , along with the directors of marathons in Boston, London, Berlin and Chicago; hosted the 2006 USA Cross Country Championships; staged the first two editions of the New York City Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE; won the bid to host the 2007 United States Olympic Men's Marathon Team Trials; and expanded its commitment to youth running through the New York Road Runners Founda- tion; and WHEREAS, With Mary Wittenberg throughout have been her husband, Derek, and their two sons, Alex and Cary, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ- uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten- tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to express its highest admiration for Mary Wittenberg and to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Mary Wittenberg upon the occasion of her designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran- smitted to Mary Wittenberg.