HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 22

Honoring and Memorializing Niels F. F. Nielsen, Jr.

Caretaker Emeritus of the Old Man of the Mountain

WHEREAS, our beloved New Hampshire, the Granite State, is a place of magnificent natural beauty, and

WHEREAS, one of the great natural wonders of our state is the granite landmark known to all as the Old Man of the Mountain, and

WHEREAS, Niels F. F. Nielsen, Jr., a gentle giant of a man, a native of Brooklyn, New York who moved to New Hampshire in 1958 and adopted it as his own, took special notice of the "Old Man," becoming the leader of the work crew that maintained him and, in 1971, becoming the first person to repair the south face, one of the first to go over the Old Man's forehead, and ultimately spending more than thirty years of his life preserving this great New Hampshire landmark, and

WHEREAS, with foresight, determination and ingenuity, Niels Nielsen saved our state treasure from the eroding forces of gravity and weather, also raising thousands of dollars to preserve the Old Man for future generations to enjoy and creating a museum and non-profit preservation association, and

WHEREAS, in 1987, Niels F. F. Nielsen, Jr. was appointed the first Official Caretaker of the Old Man of the Mountain, a title he held with great pride until it was passed to his son, David, in 1991, when he himself became Caretaker Emeritus, and

WHEREAS, Niels F. F. Nielsen, Jr. was a man who gave freely of himself in many avenues of service - to his community, state and country, including serving as a member of this House representing Grafton County District #8; and

WHEREAS, it is a widely held belief that when the Old Man of the Mountain heard of the passing of his longtime friend and caretaker, a tear was shed by this great landmark of the Granite State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives in Regular Session convened, that our former friend and colleague Niels F. F. Nielsen, Jr. be granted the highest praise and heartfelt thanks from a grateful State, and be it further

RESOLVED, that expressions of heartfelt sympathy be extended to his family and all who loved him, and that a suitable copy of this Resolution be prepared for presentation to his family.