LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Joe and Rachelle Friedman upon the
occasion of the 40th Anniversary of J&R Music & Computer World

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the achievements of individuals and businesses which contribute
substantially to the economic health and vitality of the communities of
the City and State of New York, and to their quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Joe and Rachelle Friedman upon the occasion of the 40th Anniversary
of J&R Music & Computer World; and
WHEREAS, Joe and Rachelle Friedman were newlyweds and recent college
graduates in 1971 when they opened their first music store on Park Row
in downtown Manhattan, J&R Music World, a 500-square foot space where
they sold vinyl LPs; and
WHEREAS, The business expanded steadily and is known today as J&R
Music & Computer World, selling a huge selection of CDs as well as
computer goods, digital cameras, cell phones, TVs, stereos, MP3 players,
DVDs, kitchen appliances and much more; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the thousands of customers who visit J&R's
300,000 square foot block-long establishment opposite City Hall Park,
many thousands more shop through the J&R catalogue and online at JR.com;
and
WHEREAS, J&R also has a store in midtown Manhattan, J&R Express, a
landmark-within-a-landmark located in Macy's Herald Square; and
WHEREAS, In a city where shopping is a fine art and retail establish-
ments range from the toniest department stores and boutiques to little-
known bargain spots, J&R has set the standard for quality and value and
has become a must-shop destination for New Yorkers as well as tourists
from across the country and around the world; and
WHEREAS, Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the
devastating effect of those events on all of lower Manhattan, J&R
reopened as soon as possible and thereby helped spur the revitalization
of the entire area; and
WHEREAS, J&R's prominence in the community is illustrated by the many
civic and business organizations which have invited the company's owners
to sit on their boards, including the Better Business Bureau of Greater
New York, NYC&Co (the official New York City tourism bureau), the Down-
town Alliance of New York and the Regional Advisory Board of JPMorgan
Chase; and
WHEREAS, Rachelle and Joe Friedman have been inducted into the Consum-
er Electronics Association (CEA) Hall of Fame; Rachelle was named to the
Women in Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame and she has twice served on
the Host Committee of the Grammy Awards and has been re-appointed to the
National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress; and
WHEREAS, Joe and Rachelle have said they learned how to sell and what
to sell from their customers, based on personal relationships with those
who visited the store, and built a staff of dedicated employees through
loyalty and a family-like atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, "Be good to customers, treat them right and they'll support
you" is what Rachelle and Joe believe has been the key to their success;
and
WHEREAS, Businesses, such as J&R, and its owners and employees, exert
a strong, positive influence on the communities they serve and are an
essential component of the economies of the City and State of New York,
and of their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions, and those of Joe
and Rachelle Friedman, fully confident they will continue to enjoy the
success they have worked so hard to achieve; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Joe and Rachelle Friedman upon the occasion of the 40th
Anniversary of J&R Music & Computer World, to applaud them for their
successful and dynamic leadership, and to recognize and celebrate J&R as
one of New York City's great retail establishments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joe and Rachelle Friedman.