LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James Henry Riccardi posthumously upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Bishop Howard J.
Hubbard Award by Living Resources

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to the
success and progress of society in the course of their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor
James Henry Riccardi posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Award by Living Resources,
to be celebrated on May 18, 2012, at The Albany Marriott; and
WHEREAS, Receiving this prestigious award in James Riccardi's honor
will be his wife, Gayla; and
WHEREAS, Living Resources bestows this esteemed award on worthy commu-
nity leaders who have shown an extended history of outstanding support
for people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Award is named after the founder
and first President of the Living Resources Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, James "Jim" Riccardi was well-known as a successful and
respected businessman, starting in the floral industry, and later becom-
ing the founder and president of Materials Recovery Company; his drive
for excellence in his work was matched only by his passionate commitment
to the local community and to the rights of people with disabilities;
and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of the Capital Region, James Riccardi
grew up in a tight-knit family of 11 children, and entered the military
right out of high school, and was a member of the first United States
Marine troop sent to the Vietnam War; after the war, he returned to the
United States and joined his family's business, Seagroatt Floral Compa-
ny, later branching out with his cousin, Ed, to form Seagroatt/Riccardi
Floral Company; and
WHEREAS, James Riccardi married Gayla Snowden in 1982, and they soon
had two sons, James, Jr. and Joseph; it was Joseph's disability which
led Jim and Gayla to become active in the world of disability advocacy;
Joseph is a graduate of Living Resources' College Experience Program at
the College of Saint Rose, now living in a graduate apartment in Albany;
and
WHEREAS, In 1995, James Riccardi started Materials Recovery Company in
Troy, New York; the company was developed in order to recycle metals
recovered from municipalities and other governmental organizations,
reselling them to domestic and international consumers; over the years,
he developed a strong business relationship in China, as well as with
the local Chinese-American community; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Living Resources Corporation Board, Jim
Riccardi was instrumental in helping the agency connect with disability
service providers in China; this led to visits by Chinese delegations to
Living Resources in order to learn about the agency and establishing
vocational programs in China; and
WHEREAS, Although Jim Riccardi passed away in December of 2011, he
left a legacy as a successful businessman, beloved family man, and a
loyal and well-loved friend to so many people; his spirit enriched the
community and will be forever missed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor James Henry Riccardi posthumously upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of the Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Award by Living
Resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gayla Riccardi.