LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending John Lessing upon the occasion of his
designation as a 2009 Man of Vision by St. John the Baptist Diocesan
High School on June 16, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citi-
zenry and to the education of its children; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
John "Schmiddy" Lessing upon the occasion of his designation as a 2009
Man of Vision by St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School at its Annual
Gentlemen's Dinner to be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at the River-
view Restaurant in Oakdale, New York; and
WHEREAS, The greatest asset of any society is its children and the
hope and promise they represent for the future; St. John the Baptist
Diocesan High School in West Islip has a proud and rich history of
providing the young men and women of Long Island with an educational and
religious foundation which is strong and enduring; and
WHEREAS, The St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
Development/Scholarship Fund, dedicated to helping to ensure this
continues to be so, each year proudly honors individuals, such as John
Lessing, who enthusiastically work on behalf of the school; and
WHEREAS, Attending St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School is a
Lessing family tradition; John Lessing is the oldest son of Jack and
Judy Lessing and in 1978, he became the first of nine children to gradu-
ate from the school; he also has three daughters who graduated from St.
John's, Heidi in 2004, Holly in 2006 and Hillary in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Today, John Lessing continues to be actively involved with
the school; he is a member of the Board of Advisors as well as the
Development Committee; and
WHEREAS, In these capacities, John Lessing has been called upon to
contribute his time and talents to countless endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his service, a period of
constructive involvement, John Lessing has stood constant in dignity,
good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Professionally, John Lessing is the Executive Vice President
of Lessing's, Inc.; he has been with Lessing's for over 26 years and
started with the company running the commissary while they were operat-
ing out of Manhattan on Spring Street; he was in charge of the purchas-
ing and shipping for all accounts in Manhattan and Long Island; and
WHEREAS, His current responsibilities as Executive Vice President
include the operation of the business and industry divisions of
Lessing's, which comprises four colleges, several diocesan schools
(including St. John the Baptist High School) as well as public high
schools and corporate food service vending and catering; he also over-
sees the operation of the Riverview Restaurant and Lessing's maintenance
division; and
WHEREAS, Lessing's, Inc. was founded in 1890 by Maxwell Lessing;
located in Manhattan at the time, it has long been in the forefront of
innovation in providing great food to its customers; it is the beauty of
what Lessing's is all about and it is exactly what you would expect from
a sixth generation family-owned and operated business; and
WHEREAS, John Lessing's unwavering commitment and service to St. John
the Baptist Diocesan High School and its students has greatly enhanced

the academic and extracurricular environments of the school, thereby
allowing each child the opportunity to reach their fullest potential;
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
commend John Lessing upon the occasion of his designation as a 2009 Man
of Vision by St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School on June 16, 2009;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Lessing.