Senate Resolution No. 3094

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Joe Zelezniak upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the
Schenectady City School District on September 14,
2020

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be
achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit,
nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the
future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a
standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and
developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those outstanding athletes who inspired and brought pride
to their school and community by achieving outstanding success in
competition, 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
commend Joe Zelezniak upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Schenectady City School District to be celebrated at
its 23rd Annual Schenectady County Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion
Dinner on Monday, September 14, 2020, at Glen Sanders Mansion Scotia,
New York; and

WHEREAS, Joe Zelezniak was known as a triple threat at Mont Pleasant
High School, lettering in football, baseball and track; and

WHEREAS, This all-county quarterback played on two Class A league
championship football teams; he was also the 1969 and 1970 state shot
put champion and a two-time sectional champion, and was undefeated as a
junior and senior in the indoor and outdoor shot put; today, he still
holds the official Section II shot put record with a distance of 62'3";
and

WHEREAS, Joe Zelezniak was the 1969 Eastern States shot put and
discus champion, and in 1970, he finished second in the New York State
discus competition, and was a two-time sectional discus champion setting
the record that year; he also won the Eddy Meet shot put twice and
discus once; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his graduation, Joe Zelezniak was the fifth
best shot putter and eighth best discus thrower in New York State
history; and

WHEREAS, Joe Zelezniak also enjoyed a very successful career after
high school; he was once ranked as the number one shot putter in the
Eastern United States, set the shot put record in many meets, and won
multiple Millrose Games and Dartmouth Relays; and


WHEREAS, This exceptional international athlete finished third at
the Olympic Sports Festival and fifth in the 1981 National Sports
Festival, finished second in a United States vs. England dual meet, and
represented the United States in the European Indoor Championships,
finishing fifth; and

WHEREAS, Joe Zelezniak set the Empire State Games shot put record
and won shot put gold medals; in 1981, he finished ninth in the World's
Strongest Man competition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Joe Zelezniak for
his extraordinary athletic accomplishments which is a tribute to his
skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joe Zelezniak upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Schenectady City School District on September 14,
2020; and be it further

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