Senate Resolution No. 2753

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Joe Silkowski upon the occasion of
his retirement after 38 years of distinguished
service to the Rome Sentinel

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Joe Silkowski upon the occasion of his retirement after 38
years of distinguished service to the Rome Sentinel, effective Friday,
January 31, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Joe Silkowksi began writing for the Rome Sentinel in 1982,
at the age of 27; throughout his 41-year career in the newspaper
industry, 38 of those years spent in Rome, New York, he has been
responsible in part for editing more than 20,000 sports pages; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Joe Silkowksi has been a icon in local sports
for the better part of four decades, covering approximately 750 high
school and college sporting events; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure at the Rome Sentinel, Joe Silkowksi
has had the privilege of reporting on numerous monumental sporting
events in the greater Rome area, including an interview with Michael
Jordan, who was in his last season with the University of North
Carolina, when they played Syracuse University at the Carrier Dome on
December 10, 1983; and

WHEREAS, An avid Buffalo Bills fan, Joe Silkowski had always hoped
to write the headline, "Bills Super Bowl Champs"; although he was not
able to write the headline himself, he hopes someday he can read all
about it in the Rome Sentinel, the newspaper he has grown to become a
staple of; and

WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with
whom he worked with, and wrote for, Joe Silkowski will be remembered for
his honesty, integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique
grasp of the sporting world in his writing; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Joe Silkowski upon the occasion of his retirement after 38
years of distinguished service to the Rome Sentinel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joe Silkowski.