Senate Resolution No. 3266

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Andy Ruiz upon the occasion of his
selection to represent the Capital Region in the
national Jefferson Awards competition in a virtual
event to be conducted in September of 2020

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who
have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and
organizations that provide exemplary service, whether through
participation in voluntary programs or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Andy Ruiz
upon the occasion of his selection to represent the Capital Region in
the national Jefferson Awards competition in a virtual event to be
conducted in September of 2020; and

WHEREAS, The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition
program which honors community and public service throughout the United
States; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, United States Senator
Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, Chairman of the National Development
Council, founded the American Institute for Public Service to establish
a "Nobel Prize" for public and community service on both the national
and local level, the Jefferson Awards; and

WHEREAS, The Jefferson Awards, whose stated mission is "to
recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in
communities, workplaces and schools across America," serve as a "Call to
Action for Volunteers"; and

WHEREAS, On the local level, Jefferson Awards recipients are
ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of
recognition or reward, while national award recipients represent a
"Who's Who" of outstanding Americans; and

WHEREAS, Andy Ruiz of Delmar, New York, has promoted cycling in the
area since 2010; his efforts have resulted in the creation of a mountain
bike park, new recreational rides to raise funds for non-profit
organizations, and economic advancement for local communities; and

WHEREAS, These efforts to turn the underused state land adjoining
the North Bethlehem Town Park into a forested bike trail has enabled
hundreds of local riders to enjoy mountain biking; and

WHEREAS, Andy Ruiz is the organizer of the Farmer's Daughter Gravel
Grinder race held in Chatham, New York; this event attracts 500 riders
from 10 states and raises funds for the Columbia Land Conservancy; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Andy Ruiz established a new race, the Bale
Kicker, which will benefit youth cycling groups; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the edification
and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Andy Ruiz upon the occasion of his selection to represent the
Capital Region in the national Jefferson Awards competition, noting his
exemplary service to his community and extending to him heartfelt best
wishes for a future of continued purposeful success and well-being; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Andy Ruiz.