Senate Resolution No. 804

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Joseph A. Ryan Jr. posthumously 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
Joseph A. Ryan Jr. posthumously 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; Joseph A. Ryan
Jr. is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his storied coaching career, Joseph A. Ryan Jr.
was a skilled and inspirational tutor, respected for his ability to
develop potential into excellence; he was perhaps, most well-known for
his oft repeated, heartfelt pronouncement, "You've got to give back";
and

WHEREAS, Joseph "Joe" A. Ryan Jr. graduated from Westmoreland High
School in 1966, where he was the star player on the basketball team; he
then attended the State University of New York at Cobleskill for two
years before being drafted into the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, A true patriot, Joseph A. Ryan Jr. proudly served his
country as an armored personnel carrier driver during the Vietnam War;
upon the completion of his military service, he returned to New York and
took a job as an ambulance driver; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. Ryan Jr. married the former Nancy Nunn, and
together, they raised four sons, Joe, Marty, Brendan and Kevin; he ran a
successful business and was very involved with his sons' lives, serving
as their coach and hundreds of other athletes in both youth basketball
and baseball; and

WHEREAS, A role model for numerous young people, Joseph A. Ryan Jr.
was also a coach at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church and Rome Catholic
School (RCH), was instrumental in bringing a hoop tournament to Rome,
played and coached in the Black River Basketball league, and wrote a
weekly sports column; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Joseph A. Ryan Jr. was involved with many
other community organizations such as the RCH Boosters Club, Rome Sports
Hall of Fame, Rome Chamber of Commerce, Rome United Way, Knights of
Columbus, and the Kiwanis Club; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. Ryan Jr. clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his 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 Joseph A. Ryan Jr. posthumously 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 the family of Joseph A. Ryan Jr.