LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Saints
Cosmo and Damiano Society of Utica, New York, to be celebrated on June
3, 2011

WHEREAS, Religious organizations, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those organizations and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of the Saints Cosmo & Damiano Society of Utica, New
York; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this most auspicious occasion, a special mass
will be held in honor of Saint Cosmo and Saint Damiano at St. Anthony
and St. Agnes Church in Utica, New York, on Friday, June 3, 2011, to be
followed by a 100th Anniversary Celebration at the Radisson Hotel, also
in Utica; and
WHEREAS, The Saints Cosmo & Damiano Chapel is a simple, holy place
where people can come to pray and meditate, made elaborate by the memo-
ries of love and devotion of a special group of Barese pilgrims and
believers from Alberobello, province of Bari, Italy, and from all
corners of the United States and Canada, who honor the Saints Cosmo &
Damiano on their feast day September 26; and
WHEREAS, Saints Cosmo and Damiano were twin brothers who became
doctors; their faith and dedication to the sick resulted in many mira-
cles of healing, for which they would not accept any money; they became
known as "the penniless ones"; and
WHEREAS, In the year 1911, a small group of Italian immigrants from
Utica formed a Society of their own to honor the Saints Cosmo and Dami-
ano in America; and
WHEREAS, The Society continues to act independently, offering compan-
ionship and hope to all believers, both as a religious and a fraternal
organization, which was chartered in 1921; and
WHEREAS, Before it was built, the Saints Cosmo & Damiano Chapel was in
an old building with three floors; after the old building was demol-
ished, a man from Syracuse, Peter Dormio, and his wife, Sophia donated
funds for the new chapel; and
WHEREAS, Construction began on the new Chapel in 1962; it was built by
Luigi Ventura and his sons, Ralph and Dionisio Ventura; the chapel was
completed on May 18, 1964; and
WHEREAS, The Chapel's artistic, ornate masonry work was completed by
master craftsman, Dominick DeCarlo who donated his time and services; he
also funded the skills of a talented painter, Angelo C. Fattorini-Dhar-
ma, to create the artwork on the sides of the altar; Luigi Ventura
constructed the molds for the two beautiful white, stone angels that
stand on each corner on the outside of the building; and
WHEREAS, The Saints Cosmo and Damiano Society stands on the threshold
of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious organizations and to bring such organizations to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Saints Cosmo and Damiano Socie-
ty of Utica, New York, to be celebrated on June 3, 2011, fully confident

that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which
enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saints Cosmo and Damiano Society, Utica, New York.