Senate Resolution No. 2204

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING the Buffalo Bills upon the occasion of
celebrating its 60th Anniversary as a professional
football team

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
exemplary teams and organizations whose notable achievements add to the
fabric of New York State and inspire our citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, this Legislative Body is proud
to commend the Buffalo Bills upon the occasion of celebrating its 60th
Anniversary as a professional football team; and

WHEREAS, The Buffalo Bills were the seventh team to be admitted to
the American Football League, and one of the eight founding members of
the league; and

WHEREAS, The franchise was awarded to legendary owner Ralph C.
Wilson on October 28, 1959, originally playing games at the War Memorial
Stadium in Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, After a public contest, the team adopted the name "Buffalo
Bills," after the former All-American Football Conference team in
Buffalo, which in turn was named after the Buffalo Bills, a local
barbershop quartet; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, the team won its first AFL Championship behind the
MVP performance of running back Cookie Gilchrist; this championship was
followed up with another one the next year, capping a schedule where
they won 12 of their 14 games; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged, making the Bills a member
of the new league; three years later, the Bills began playing their home
games at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, which was renamed Ralph
Wilson Stadium after their owner in 1998; and since 2015, they have
occupied New Era Field in the same location; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, two future Hall of Famers, coach Marv Levy and
quarterback Jim Kelly joined the organization; two years later in 1988,
the team won the first of five AFC East titles in six years; and

WHEREAS, The Bills are the only team to play in four straight Super
Bowls, spanning from 1991-1994; during that time, numerous legendary
players and coaches were a vital part of the organization; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, the franchise was purchased by Terry and Kim
Pegula, only the second owners in the history of the franchise and
together, they have vowed to keep the team in Western New York; and

WHEREAS, The Bills have a passionate and energetic fan base known as
the "Bills Mafia", who are counted on to cheer for their beloved team
every week during the season; so much so that in 1991, the loyal fans of
the Bills helped set a NFL single-season attendance record of 635,889
fans; and


WHEREAS, The Buffalo Bills also serve the community through various
charitable foundations, helping the less fortunate throughout Western
New York and New York State; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the endless contributions the
Buffalo Bills have presented Western New York and the greater Empire
State as a whole; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Buffalo Bills upon the occasion of celebrating its 60th
Anniversary, noting their endless accomplishments both on and off the
field as the only professional football team stationed in New York
State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the players and personnel as well as the Co-Owners of the
Buffalo Bills, Terry and Kim Pegula.