LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Frank Crisafulli upon the occasion of
being designated for special honor by the Northeastern Association of
the Blind at Albany

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Frank Crisafulli has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Frank Crisa-
fulli upon the occasion of being designated for special honor by the
Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, to be celebrated at its
2011 Visionary Gala on Friday, April 8, 2011, at Albany Country Club,
Voorheesville, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 1908, Northeastern Association for the Blind (NABA) has
served blind and visually impaired individuals by providing programs and
services to residents throughout the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1946, in Albany, New York, Frank Crisafulli began
working in his family's Italian grocery store at a very young age; by
the time he was in high school, the small store progressed into Crisa-
fulli Brothers' Food Distributors, serving many Capital District restau-
rants; and
WHEREAS, Upon his graduation from Christian Brother's Academy, Frank
Crisafulli began attending Siena College majoring in accounting; his
college career was cut short with the start of the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Frank Crisafulli enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967,
and served his country for two years in North and South Vietnam; for his
valiant service, he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal with three
campaign stars; and
WHEREAS, After returning to the United States, Frank Crisafulli
resumed his position with Crisafulli Brothers' Distributing; he became
CEO of the family business in 1987, and changed the company's name to
United Foodservice which soon became Upstate New York's largest inde-
pendent foodservice distributor; and
WHEREAS, Frank Crisafulli has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after his daughter, Regina, lost her vision to a
childhood illness, Frank Crisafulli became involved with NABA; for near-
ly 30 years, he has been an active part of the Association, serving as a
board member, and most recently, as Chair of the NABA Foundation Board;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, he was instrumental in the creation of NABA's
United Braille Cup, a skiing event for blind skiers held at Windham
Mountain during the mid 1990s; and
WHEREAS, Frank Crisafulli also supports numerous other nonprofit
organizations; he was recognized as the 1994 Man of the Year by the
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and by the March of Dimes in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Frank Crisafulli has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Frank Crisafulli has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a

long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Frank Crisafulli upon the occasion of being designated for
special honor by the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Frank Crisafulli.