Senate Resolution No. 3234

BY: Senator KENNEDY

CELEBRATING the National Buffalo Wing Festival in
October of 2020

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village, and hamlet within its
borders proudly resonates with the rich and noble history of the State
of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those events which foster civic pride and highlight the contributions of
the communities which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State
to the progression and development of our society; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the National Buffalo Wing Festival in October of 2020; and

WHEREAS, Since its establishment in 2002, Wingfest has attracted
more than one million visitors from all 50 states, more than three dozen
countries and every continent to downtown Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, Today, Wingfest remains true to its mission of celebrating
one of America's favorite foods in its birthplace, elevating the profile
of the best wing restaurants from across the United States which
converge on the festival and raising money for charity; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the last 19 years, Wingfest has donated nearly
$400,000 to FeedMore WNY (formerly the Food Bank of Western New York and
Meals on Wheels of Western New York) and other charitable organizations;
and

WHEREAS, For 2020, festival founder Drew Cerza has announced
Wingfest will be pivoting away from the Buffalo Festival out of an
abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic and into a new
national program which will continue fulfilling its goal of promoting
the best wing restaurants nationwide and raising money for charity; and

WHEREAS, This year, due to the pandemic, Buffalo's signature
culinary celebration will take place across the United States in the
form of "America's Greatest Chicken Wing Party," which will take place
in October 2020, which is National Chicken Wing Month; and

WHEREAS, During National Chicken Wing Month, wing eaters from 50
major cities will be invited to join in the annual celebration of the
Buffalo wing by organizing their "Greatest Chicken Wing Party" they have
ever hosted; these parties can be held at home, a park, restaurant, or
wherever social distancing regulations allow them; and

WHEREAS, Groups and individuals will be encouraged to join by
supporting their favorite local wingery as well as putting together a
donation to help feed the hungry in their community; and

WHEREAS, The parties will also help maintain the Wingfest's
charitable mission and serve as a benefit for local food banks in each

respective host city, which are dealing with substantially increased
demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those events
which enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have
shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have
earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the National Buffalo Wing Festival in October of 2020; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Drew Cerza, Founder, National Buffalo Wing Festival.