LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Greg Tearney upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the NAACP Freedom Fund Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious individuals of remarkable integrity and char-
acter, whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence in
their services and have enhanced the quality of education in our commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Greg Tearney upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the NAACP Freedom Fund Award; and
WHEREAS, This award, presented to Greg Tearney by the
Syracuse/Onondaga branch of the NAACP, recognizes outstanding area
volunteers, business owners and organizations for their community
service; and
WHEREAS, Greg Tearney, Grandmaster of Okinawan style karate, was
honored for his outstanding work at Tearney's All-American Martial Arts
centers; and
Whereas, Born in 1941, Greg Tearney was raised in the 15th Ward, and
graduated from Nottingham High School; and
WHEREAS, Initially, mentored by the late Frank Van Lenten, Greg Tear-
ney went on to study karate and martial arts under the late Peter Musac-
chio, a pioneer in upstate New York martial arts; and
WHEREAS, Prior to opening his first martial arts center in 1969, Greg
Tearney fought in the Heavyweight Black Belt Divisions from 1966 to
1976, where he was given the nickname "Big Monster" by his fellow dojo
Black Belts; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Greg Tearney trains more than 400 students at two
locations in Onondaga County, which have been ranked in the top EFC
Black Belt schools in the nation since 1989; and
WHEREAS, Greg Tearney's facilities offer students a variety of skill
levels and programs that include self-defense, kickboxing, Zumba, char-
acter development, and family programs; and
WHEREAS, A 10th Degree Black Belt, Greg Tearney was inducted into the
Karate Hall of Fame in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Greg Tearney generously gives back to his community by volun-
teering with anti-bullying programs in the West Genesee and Syracuse
City School Districts, as a trainer for the Syracuse University football
team, and as a motivational speaker; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the NAACP Freedom Fund Award, Greg Tearney has
received many other awards and recognition including: Most Inspiring
Instructor, Best Program Director, and Outstanding Service and Support
at the EFC International Summit; and the Post Standard Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award; he was also inducted into the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his educational and community
service, Greg Tearney has stood constant in dignity, good grace and
humor, and has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues,
friends and family; 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, especially of someone with such caliber as Greg Tearney, they
should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Greg Tearney upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the NAACP Freedom Fund Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Greg Tearney.