LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Vincenzo M. LaGamba upon the occasion of
his designation as the recipient of the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year
Award by the Brooklyn Italian Soccer Club Inc. on April 4, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster a
spirit of community and service and, simultaneously, work diligently to
preserve their rich cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Vincenzo M. LaGamba upon the occasion of his designation as the recipi-
ent of the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Brooklyn Italian
Soccer Club Inc. at its 34th Annual Dinner Dance to be held on Saturday,
April 4, 2009, at El Caribe Country Club, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Vincenzo M. LaGamba was born in Polistena (Province of Reggio
Calabria) on September 12, 1946; he immigrated to the United States on
June 28, 1969, after graduating from the Institute of Engineering of
Gioia Tauro; and
WHEREAS, Upon his arrival, Vincenzo M. LaGamba enrolled at New York
University to study the English language before he was employed by J.R.
Stevenson for the Westchester County Courthouse in the late 1960s; and
WHEREAS, From there, Vincenzo M. LaGamba's hard work, perseverance,
and dedication to his profession enabled him to climb the ladder of
success with grace and pride; he recently retired after 40 years of
achievements as Project Manager, Professional Estimator, and Cost
Analyst; throughout his esteemed career he worked for four of New York's
most prestigious construction companies: Elite Associates, AMCC
Construction Co., AFC-Catapano and WDF, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Vincenzo M. LaGamba has been extremely
active within the Italian-American community; he has been recognized by
the late Pope John Paul II for a poem dedicated to him which is part of
his poetry book, BLOSSOMS OF FAITH, printed in 1981; he has also been
recognized for his involvement as Chairman of "Porte Italia-USA-1985,"
an exchange program between handicapped students of Italy and the New
York Board of Education, the first of its kind in the world; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Vincenzo M. LaGamba belongs to various charita-
ble organizations in order to help the poor, the homeless, and the
underprivileged; his inclination to help the needy made him answer a
call to become a Deacon of the Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, After two years of preparation and five years of formation at
the Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst, Vincenzo M. LaGamba was ordained Deacon
on May 19, 2007, by the Diocese Bishop of Brooklyn and Queens, Most
Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D.; he is currently incardinated to
the Parish of St. Francis DeSales Roman Catholic Church in Belle Harbor,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Vincenzo M. LaGamba was recently elected President of the
Calabria Regional Association, renewing his commitment to the Calabrese
community from whom he served as President from 1988 to 1992; and
WHEREAS, A hobby journalist, Vincenzo M. LaGamba started writing in
Italy at the age of 19; he has been a freelance writer for II PROGRESSO
ITALO-AMERICANO and AMERICA OGGI for the past 35 years; he currently has
a by-line on Religion in the daily newspaper AMERICA OGGI; and
WHEREAS, Vincenzo M. LaGamba has been honored many times by New York
City, New York State, the government of Italy, and a multitude of organ-
izations and associations in recognition and appreciation of his deep
involvement in and commitment to his community and his heritage, of
which he is so justly proud; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 37 years, Isabella,
and his daughter, Maria Itria and her fiance, Cosimo Mazzaferro, and his
son Joseph Pia, and his wife, Micaela, all of whom are proud to be part
of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice by Brooklyn Italian Soccer Club Inc. for the
2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award, Vincenzo M. LaGamba truly embodies
the spirit and the cherished ideals and values of all Italian-Americans
of this great State and Nation; 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Vincenzo M. LaGamba upon the occasion of his designation as the
recipient of the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Brooklyn
Italian Soccer Club Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vincenzo M. LaGamba.