Senate Resolution No. 3140

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Bill Munson for serving as the longest
tenured NFL employee and for 44 years of
distinguished service to the Buffalo Bills

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to those individuals who embody the true American
spirit, attaining unprecedented success and personal achievement through
personal courage, integrity, and dedicated effort; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Bill Munson for serving as the longest tenured NFL employee and
for 44 years of distinguished service to the Buffalo Bills; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his long tenure with the Buffalo Bills, Bill
Munson has held nine different positions ranging from Administrative
Assistant to Senior Vice President of Government Relations and External
Affairs, the title from which he officially retired on Friday, September
1, 2017; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Bill Munson has seen 889 Bills games live,
driven over 1,000,000 miles to and from One Bills Drive, and built
long-lasting relationships with 1,122 Bills all-time roster players and
227 all-time roster coaches; and

WHEREAS, Born in August of 1950, Bill Munson graduated from Kenmore
East High School in 1968; four years later, he earned his bachelor's
degree in education from Kent State; he then obtained his master's
degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts in
Amherst in 1973; and

WHEREAS, After a chance meeting with former Coach Dick MacPherson,
Bill Munson was accepted into an internship with the Buffalo Bills; upon
the successful completion of the program, he was offered a full-time
position with the organization a few months later; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 44-year career with the Buffalo Bills, Bill
Munson has held numerous roles with the organization including
Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director of Marketing, Director of
Marketing and Purchasing, Business Manager, Assistant GM/Business
Manager, and Assistant GM/Business Operations, as well as Vice President
of Government Relations and External Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Bill Munson has left his enduring role with the Buffalo
Bills with countless memories such as the stadium completion in Orchard
Park in 1973, 100 victories in the 1990s, four Super Bowls, the 50th
Anniversary team, and witnessing the inductions of his friends into the
Buffalo Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, An exceptional athlete who has always enjoyed being pushed
to his limits, Bill Munson has completed the Tough Mudder Run Obstacle
Course five times; and

WHEREAS, The longest tenured NFL employee with one team, Bill
Munson's far reaching impact will continue to be felt both on and off
the field in Buffalo and throughout the NFL for many years to come; and

WHEREAS, A true gentleman, wise counselor and hard worker, the
contributions of Bill Munson to the sport of football, and his
commitment to building men of character as well as winning teams, is a
model of integrity and commitment that will long stand preeminent in any
sport, at any level; his personal and professional stature as Vice
President of Government Relations and External Affairs is unparalleled
and his accomplishments and contributions to professional football and
the NFL are achievements worthy of the recognition of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Bill Munson for serving as the longest tenured NFL employee and
for 44 years of distinguished service to the Buffalo Bills, and to wish
him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bill Munson.