Senate Resolution No. 1315

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Monte and Avery Lipman upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the
Distinguished Alumni Award by the University at
Albany Alumni Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Monte and Avery Lipman upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University at Albany
Alumni Association to be celebrated with a Gala on May 4, 2019, at
Wolfert's Roost, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award honors an alumnus or alumna with an
extraordinary achievement, one who has been recognized nationally and/or
internationally, or an individual who over the course of a decade or
greater, has exhibited outstanding success in a chosen profession or
outstanding service to society; Monte and Avery Lipman are such
individuals; and

WHEREAS, In addition to sharing the same alma mater, University at
Albany (UAlbany) graduates Monte and Avery Lipman share numerous music
industry accolades as the founders and chief executives of Republic
Records, a division of Universal Music Group, the world's largest music
company; and

WHEREAS, Monte and Avery Lipman's work with multi-platinum, GRAMMY
Award-winning legends and superstar artists like Taylor Swift, Stevie
Wonder, Drake, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam and
Ariana Grande speaks volumes; their philanthropic commitment to raise
funds for the fight against cancer speaks even louder; these successes
paired with their willingness to give back to UAlbany demonstrates the
Lipman brothers' tremendous character; and

WHEREAS, Now regulars on the annual Billboard Power 100 list, the
Lipmans served on UAlbany's concert board, worked at the University's
radio station (WCDB), as well as the school's on-campus record store,
and played football under coach Bob Ford while students at UAlbany; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric
and Communication in 1986, Monte Lipman began his career at Arista
Records; Avery Lipman also joined Arista after graduating in 1988 with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in English; and

WHEREAS, The brothers moved through the ranks of the music industry,
mentoring UAlbany students along the way; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Monte Lipman was made Record Promotion Director of
EMI Records and guided such famous acts as Arrested Development and
Wilson Phillips; Avery Lipman was named Business Administration Director
at Sony Music International in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, Monte and Avery Lipman converged to
launch Republic Records as an independent record label; today, the label
now competes at the highest level and has been cited by Billboard
Magazine as the "#1 Label of the Year" multiple years in a row; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Monte and Avery Lipman,
Republic Records is home to award-winning artists and innovative
business ventures, including American Recordings (The Avett Brothers),
XO (The Weeknd) and Young Money (Drake, Nicki Minaj); and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Republic Records has expanded to release
high-profile soundtracks for Sony Pictures (Spider-Man: Into the
Spider-Verse), Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey) and NBC TV (The
Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises; and

WHEREAS, The Lipman brothers sit on the boards of many philanthropic
organizations, including the Amy Winehouse Foundation and T.J. Martell
Foundation; they also serve on the executive committees of DKMS (Delete
Blood Cancer), and the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Monte and Avery Lipman delivered UAlbany's 169th
Undergraduate Commencement address, and more recently, hosted students
and alumni for a panel discussion and networking reception alongside
Universal Music Group's EVP of Business and Legal Affairs; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Monte and Avery Lipman upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University at Albany
Alumni Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Monte and Avery Lipman.