Senate Resolution No. 1879

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING George E. Lewis Jr. upon the occasion of
being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on
July 28, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
George E. Lewis Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Sunday, July 28, 2019, with a Ceremony at the Hall, followed by a
Banquet at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in Vernon, New York; and

WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends
the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled,
and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; George E. Lewis
Jr. is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, George E. Lewis was born to a military family on December
17, 1959, and lived in the Netherlands for several years; he played
Little League baseball and helped his team win the Netherlands
Championship, and make it to the European Little League World Series;
and

WHEREAS, In 1972, George E. Lewis Jr. and his family returned to
Griffiss Air Force Base, and he played football and baseball for Rome
Free Academy; however, football became his first love; during his senior
year, he won the Black R, as his school's Most Valuable Player, and was
named a Central Oneida League (COL) All-Star and selected for All-State;
and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating, George E. Lewis Jr. attended Amherst
College where he was a four-year letter winner for the Minutemen and a
two-time, All-Yankee Conference First Team player as a defensive end and
a linebacker; in 1981, he was selected for the All-New England First
Team; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately George E. Lewis Jr. suffered a career ending
injury during training camp with the Washington Redskins; and

WHEREAS, For the next three decades, George E. Lewis Jr. worked for
the New York State Office of Family Services; during this time, he also
worked for the Office of Mental Health at the Central New York
Psychiatric Center; throughout his esteemed career, he truly enjoyed
making a positive difference in young people's lives; and

WHEREAS, George E. Lewis Jr. has clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be 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 George E. Lewis Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the
Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 28, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to George E. Lewis Jr.