Assembly Resolution No. 405

BY: M. of A. Barclay

CONGRATULATING Fran Verdoliva upon the occasion of
his retirement from the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation after 23 years of
distinguished service as a Special Assistant to the
Salmon River Watershed

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals whose exemplary careers,
accomplishments, and purposeful lives of service on behalf of their
profession and the environment have significantly enhanced the quality
of life in the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Fran Verdoliva upon the occasion of his retirement from the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation after 23 years
of distinguished service as a Special Assistant to the Salmon River
Watershed; and

WHEREAS, An avid outdoorsman, conservationist and fisherman, Fran
Verdoliva used his talents and hands-on knowledge about the fish and the
area to help establish the Salmon River Watershed and its surrounding
communities as a fishing destination; and

WHEREAS, With a ceaseless dedication to his career, Fran Verdoliva
served as an advocate for the fish, a true conservationist, and an
ambassador for the community by welcoming and guiding fishermen in the
area; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Fran Verdoliva's
contributions to fly fishing were particularly influential; he
successfully helped the public to move away from snag fishing salmon
which became illegal in the 1990s and encouraged more traditional
methods; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the inroads he made with public outreach and
education on fishing methods for salmon helped protect fish and retain
opportunities for the industry throughout northern New York; these
methods helped set the standard for New York, Lake Ontario and beyond,
reaching Lake Michigan tributaries; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong champion for the ethical treatment of fish and
the health of Lake Ontario fisheries, Fran Verdoliva helped restore
brook trout spawning habitat; and

WHEREAS, Fran Verdoliva provided ongoing educational programs at the
Salmon River Hatchery for schoolchildren, developing the largest
National Hunting and Fishing Day Open House each September for the past
20 years, which in the past has been attended by over 2,000 each year;
and

WHEREAS, In addition, he provided educational fly fishing seminars
and programs to local, regional and state-level public organizations;
and

WHEREAS, Protecting fish while still providing fishing opportunity
to the public and protecting natural resources for future generations,
Fran Verdoliva also spearheaded the reintroduction of Atlantic salmon to
Lake Ontario; and

WHEREAS, Fran Verdoliva has been the proud recipient of countless
awards and accolades during his career for his educational contributions
to proper fly-fishing etiquette, ethics, environmental conservation and
protection of game fish; he was inducted into the Fly-Fishing Hall of
Fame at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor,
New York, in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Fran Verdoliva has served the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Salmon River Watershed, the environment, and
the people of the State of New York with honor and distinction; his
accomplishments and contributions will most assuredly brook the passage
of time and be recorded as significantly improving the quality of life
for us all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Fran Verdoliva upon the occasion of his retirement, and to wish
him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Fran Verdoliva.