LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Richard Castellano upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Special Recognition Award from the
New York State Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc., Order Sons of Italy in
America on Friday, January 27, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Richard Castellano upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Special Recognition Award from the New York State Grand Lodge Foun-
dation, Inc., Order Sons of Italy in America on Friday, January 27,
2012; and
WHEREAS, This fine event is the organization's 19th Anniversary Winter
Charity Ball, to be held at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Richard Castellano, a graduate of both St. John's and
Stony Brook Universities, has won 545 games in 32 seasons as head
basketball coach at Northport High School; under his leadership, the
Lady Tigers have won 25 regular season league titles, 11 Suffolk County
championships, six Long Island titles, and earned two trips to the New
York State High School Athletic Association finals; and
WHEREAS, Coach Richard Castellano has been inducted to the Suffolk
County Hall of Fame, the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, and was
most recently named the Russell Athletic/WBCA National High School Coach
of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Coach Richard Castellano has won numerous DAILY NEWS and LONG
ISLAND NEWSDAY Coach of the Year honors, and has coached the Long Island
Scholastic Girls Empire State team for three years; the Northport Lady
Tigers have been recognized as a New York State All-Academic Team for
the past 15 years and have won the League and County sportsmanship award
over 10 times; and
WHEREAS, Coach Richard Castellano has served as President of the
Suffolk County Women's Basketball Coaches Association for over 20 years,
helped to create the Suffolk Top 100 Annual Long Island Basketball
Exceptional Senior Games, and has created scholarship awards for girl
basketball players throughout Suffolk County; and
WHEREAS, For the past four years, Coach Richard Castellano has worked
with the American Cancer Society to establish Coaches Versus Cancer
basketball games in every school district in Suffolk County; this
particular program has raised a significant amount in cancer research;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Richard Castellano has retired from his position as a
math teacher in Northport High School, but continues to coach the Lady
Tigers throughout the year; has been a model athlete and coach, and
throughout has exemplified his strong Italian-American spirit; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Fern, their children,
Richard and Lauren, as well as their grandchildren, Nicholas and Lily,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; 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 Richard Castellano upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Special Recognition Award from the New York State Grand Lodge
Foundation, Inc., Order Sons of Italy in America on Friday, January 27,
2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Richard Castellano.