LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Walter and Anna May Patrick upon
the occasion of their recognition as New York State's longest married
couple

WHEREAS, Walter T. Patrick, Sr. and Anna May Patrick, of Lansingburgh,
New York, were united in marriage nearly 76 years ago; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, February 16, 2013, just two months before their
76th Wedding Anniversary, they proudly accepted an award from New York
Marriage Encounter, an organization which has promoted and advocated
strengthening marriage bonds for countless couples nationwide since the
early 1970s, recognizing them as the New York State couple who has been
married for the longest time; and
WHEREAS, Three quarters of a century ago Walter and Anna May Patrick
met at the local swimming hole, once known as Miami Beach, on what was
called Oil Mill Hill, where there was a dance hall and a nightclub; and
WHEREAS, The only time since their marriage Walter and Anna have been
apart was when Walter was in Texas during World War II, Walter was wait-
ing to be shipped out, not certain if he'd see his wife and four chil-
dren again when, waiting by the ship with his colleagues with all their
clothes and gear on, the word came, and was joyfully received, that the
war was over; and
WHEREAS, Walter Patrick returned to Troy, New York, where he began a
career with General Electric as a machinist until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Accepting the award on February 16, 96-year-old Walter
Patrick and Anna May Patrick were visibly pleased to be in the company
of a good portion of their family; they are the proud parents of five
children and have 15 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, with
number 30 to be ecstatically welcomed in just a few months; and
WHEREAS, Walter and Alma May Patrick are and always have been a tower
of strength, support, understanding and limitless love for their family;
and
WHEREAS, Their love, devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness
to their family, friends and all who know them are their hallmark and
tradition; and
WHEREAS, Walter and Anna May Patrick have lived and continue to live
their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a
deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals, and in so
doing, they have inspired others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, This meaningful and well-deserved recognition is the result
of the love, hard work and spirit Walter and Anna May Patrick have
invested in their marriage; and
WHEREAS, These same values they have passed to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, Walter and Anna May Patrick have touched the lives of their
family and many friends through the shining example of their marriage,
which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess
for one another; and
WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a mile-
stone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a recogni-
tion and occasion of such importance are brought to our attention, they
should be memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of
others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Walter and Anna May Patrick upon the occasion of their

recognition by New York Marriage Encounter as New York State's longest
married couple and to wish them well; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Walter and Anna May Patrick.