Senate Resolution No. 1344

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Ralph Mirabelli 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
Ralph Mirabelli upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports
Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at a Ceremony on Sunday, July 30, 2023;
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; Ralph Mirabelli
is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Mirabelli was an excellent, all-around athlete at
Rome Free Academy as a member of both the soccer and track teams; in
1989, he set an indoor record, won the Section III high jump event and
placed third at the New York State meet; and

WHEREAS, In college, Ralph Mirabelli also set an indoor high jump
record and won the 1991 New York State Collegiate Track Conference for
Binghamton University; he then went on to participate in soccer and
track and field for the State University of New York at Cortland; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Ralph Mirabelli shifted gears and started training
and competing with the National Bobsled and Skeleton Teams at the
Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York; to win, it took
tremendous amounts of training, race preparation, mastering driving
techniques using high end aerodynamic sleds, and of course teamwork; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Mirabelli found great success competing at an elite
level all around the world on the United States National Team until
2003; during his international career, he was the United States National
two-man Bobsled Champion 1993, America's Cup Medalist, American Record
Holder Skeleton Push Start (Lake Placid 1994), United States Team Member
for Skeleton World Cup and World Championships 1995, United States
Federation Cup two-man Bobsled Champion 1996, United States Team Member
for Jr. World Bobsled 1996, and the Utah State Skeleton Champion (1998
Park City); and

WHEREAS, Ralph Mirabelli was elected as an athlete representative on
the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Board of Directors, a
position he held from 1998-2002; and

WHEREAS, This talented sledder also competed many times in the New
York State Empire State Games; he began in the 1988 Summer Games
qualifying in the high jump and went on to compete and medal in the
Winter Games in the bobsled, skeleton, and even in snowshoe racing; and


WHEREAS, In 2001, Ralph Mirabelli was asked to light the torch at
the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Empire State Games in Lake Placid,
and in that same year, he was a member of the Local Organizing Committee
for the Summer Empire State Games held in Rome and the Mohawk Valley;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Kelly, and their two
daughters, Mia and Lily, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Mirabelli has 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 Ralph Mirabelli 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 Ralph Mirabelli.