LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Bill Duffy, Jr. upon the occasion of
his designation by the Cooley's Anemia Foundation as its 2012 Man of the
Year

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in the communities across New York State are reflec-
tive of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and indi-
viduals who are committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bill
Duffy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation by the Cooley's Anemia
Foundation as its 2012 Man of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Bill "Billy" Duffy, Jr. will be honored at the Foundation's
Gift of Life Ball to be held on Friday, June 8, 2012, in recognition of
his humanitarianism and enduring and outstanding support on behalf of
children afflicted with Cooley's Anemia; and
WHEREAS, Cooley's Anemia, medically known as Thalassemia, is an inher-
ited, fatal blood disease which afflicts children of Mediterranean and
Asian ancestry; through research, several National Institute of Health
(N.I.H.) institutes have made many contributions to extending the lives
of patients with the disease and to finding a cure for it, goals to
which the Cooley's Anemia Foundation is dedicated; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished labor leader, Bill Duffy, Jr. continues the
exemplary philanthropic efforts of the Duffy family on behalf of those
with Cooley's Anemia which began in earnest when the Cooley's Anemia
Foundation honored his grandfather, Jimmy Duffy, in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Bill Duffy, Jr. was born in Mercy Hospital in Rockville
Centre, to Barbara and Billy Duffy, Sr.; he attended St. Anthony's High
School in Huntington, where he played football; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell
University, where he played on the Lacrosse team for four years; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Cornell, he worked for Prudential on
Wall Street for three years and, a friend from high school, fortuitous-
ly, invited him to a party, where he met his lovely wife, Christine; and
WHEREAS, Billy and Christine Duffy are the proud and loving parents of
two children, Maureen, 9, and Owen, 7; and
WHEREAS, Upon leaving Wall Street, Bill Duffy, Jr. went to work for
Local 138, Operating Engineers, where he took over the responsibilities
of Fund Administrator and Benefits Coordinator; today, he is the Busi-
ness Agent for the Local; and
WHEREAS, A truly philanthropic man, Bill Duffy, Jr. was honored with
the Molloy College Outreach 2011 Award in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Bill Duffy, Jr. is to be commended for the contributions he
has made to his community and for his generous and compassionate support
and commitment to helping children afflicted with Thalassemia; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
applaud Bill Duffy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation by the
Cooley's Anemia Foundation as its 2012 Man of the Year on June 8, 2012;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Duffy, Jr.