LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ippolito Leotta upon the occasion of
receiving the Business Leadership Award from the NYPD Columbia Associ-
ation on May 8, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge those extraordinary individuals whose purposeful
lives and distinguished careers have been committed to bettering the
quality of life in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ippolito Leot-
ta upon the occasion of receiving the Business Leadership Award from the
NYPD Columbia Association at its 77th Annual Dinner Dance to be held on
Friday, May 8, 2009; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Ippolito Leotta has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and
diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
profession and consequently has been designated for this most presti-
gious honor; and
WHEREAS, Ippolito Leotta, founder of Global Vision Group, was born in
a small fishing village on the southern coast of Italy; at the age of
12, he decided to go into the family business; his father filmed docu-
mentaries on contemporary artists and his mother was a clothing artisan
herself; and
WHEREAS, Ippolito Leotta quickly realized his entrepreneurial poten-
tial; for the year end school play, he decided he wanted to write his
own story; he authored a script, entitled, The Miracle Courtyard, and
fundraised and directed a group of ten children; and
WHEREAS, Since then, Ippolito Leotta has established a formidable name
in the production world; he attended film school at the Academy School
of Milano while working full time in smaller film studios where he
learned the pragmatic side of the craft; upon graduation, he took advan-
tage of the privatization of Italian television by working with Italy's
first independent channels; and
WHEREAS, Ippolito Leotta moved to the United States in 1982; he worked
with smaller studios and landed a job with a local ABC affiliate; as a
cameraman and editor, he traveled throughout the country; in 1987, he
moved to New York as a freelancer and in 1990 founded Global Vision
Group; and
WHEREAS, The company began as a news agency but has since expanded
greatly, Global Vision Group has dealt extensively with news based
international documentaries, starting with the Gulf War; in total the
company has produced over 30 documentaries; he was also fundamental in
the creation of U.S. news bureaus for two major European networks; and
WHEREAS, After the events of 9/11, Ippolito Leotta moved away from
news and towards more personal issues, including daytime television,
fiction and human interest documentaries; and
WHEREAS, Ippolito Leotta and his company, Global Vision Group, have
consistently brought the flavor of Italian culture to America; as the
company's leader, he is committed to hiring a diverse and creative group
of employees in order to perpetually integrate new ideas; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Ippolito Leotta has
displayed initiative and an unrelenting commitment when pursuing the
highest of goals, and has served as a role model of leadership to be
emulated by all; 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 Ippolito Leotta upon the occasion of receiving the Business Lead-
ership Award from the NYPD Columbia Association on May 8, 2009; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ippolito Leotta.