LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mary Frances Silitch upon her induction
into the Women in Aviation, International's Pioneer Hall of Fame on
March 16, 2013

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons who provide
exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary programs,
through unique personal achievement in their profession or other endeav-
ors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mary
Frances Silitch upon her induction into the Women in Aviation, Interna-
tional's (WAI) Pioneer Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at its 24th Annual
Conference closing banquet on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Gaylord Opry-
land and Resort in Nashville, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, 77-year old Mary Frances Silitch has spent a lifetime as an
aviation reporter and editor; she moved to Granville, New York, eight
years ago after a long journalism career; and
WHEREAS, Mary Frances Silitch began her magazine career at MADEMOI-
SELLE magazine in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Mary Frances Silitch was the first female editor of a
national mainstream aviation magazine when she was named editor-in-chief
of PRIVATE PILOT magazine in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Her publishing career took her to FLYING, AIR PROGRESS,
PROFESSIONAL PILOT, and AOPA PILOT; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her illustrious career, Mary Frances Silitch has
flown 250 types of aircraft and logged 5,000 hours; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Mary Frances Silitch made history of her own,
setting a world speed record of 180.44 mph for light-turbine amphibian
planes; and
WHEREAS, Even in retirement, Mary Frances Silitch still contributes
from time to time to an aviation magazine; and
WHEREAS, Mary Frances Silitch is also a member of the Arkansas
Aviation Hall of Fame and has received a number of other regional and
national honors; and
WHEREAS, Since moving to Granville, Mary Frances Silitch has been
involved in the Slate Valley Garden Club, and is a member of the board
of trustees of Granville's Pember Library and Museum, as well as Zonta
in Glens Falls; 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 Mary Frances Silitch upon her induction into the Women in
Aviation, International's Pioneer Hall of Fame on March 16, 2013; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Frances Silitch.