Senate Resolution No. 799

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Phyllis R. Niemi upon the occasion of
being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, 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 honor
Phyllis R. Niemi upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at a Ceremony on Sunday, August 1,
2021; and

WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends
the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled,
and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; Phyllis R. Niemi
is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1947, Phyllis R. Niemi played varsity field hockey,
basketball and softball at Croton-Harmon High School; after graduating
in 1965, she earned her degree from the State University of New York at
Cortland, and became an elementary school physical education teacher
with the Rome School District; and

WHEREAS, An excellent teacher and coach, Phyllis R. Niemi introduced
her students to a wide variety of sports, which culminated in city-wide
play day with all the elementary schools competing against each other;
and

WHEREAS, Through the school district's impressive physical education
curriculum, Phyllis R. Niemi was introduced to gymnastics and began her
lifetime love of and commitment to the sport; she was truly dedicated to
giving every child a chance to excel, build self-esteem and improve all
of their athletic skills; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Phyllis R. Niemi was named varsity gymnastics
coach at the Rome Free Academy (RFA), where she remained for 13 years
compiling a remarkable record of 98 and 61 (51-7 in the league) which
included seven league championships and seven undefeated seasons; she
also guided and inspired 23 of her athletes to individual sectional
championships; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her work at RFA, Phyllis R. Niemi coached
the Central Empire State Games Gymnastics Team for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Today, in her much-deserved retirement, Phyllis R. Niemi
and her husband Duane split their time between their home in Rome and
Florida, and she serves as a widely admired, certified and very busy
gymnastics official; and

WHEREAS, Phyllis R. Niemi has clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of her Rome community; and


WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Phyllis R. Niemi upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Phyllis R. Niemi.