Senate Resolution No. 802

BY: Senator STEC

HONORING Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Liberty Bell Award
presented by the Franklin County Bar Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Liberty Bell Award to be presented by the Franklin County Bar
Association at the Law Day celebration on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the
Malone Golf Club in Malone, New York; and

WHEREAS, The American Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award is the
most prestigious award given by lawyers to a non-lawyer; the Award
honors a person who has strengthened the American system of freedom and
justice under law through their extraordinary contributions in the
community; Donald Bilow is such an individual; and

WHEREAS, Donald Bilow was born in Malone and raised in Chateaugay,
New York on the family farm, where he started farming around age 10; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Donald Bilow married his wife Barbara; together,
they raised two children: Joe Bilow Jr. and Lynda Huba, and ran both a
dairy and potato farm; and

WHEREAS, Donald Bilow drove a school bus for 15 years and worked on
his farms for 50 years, until he retired in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Through his tireless efforts, Donald Bilow has helped his
community through his many civic roles and memberships; he has been a
member of: the Knights of Columbus since age 18, the Chateaugay Rotary
for over 25 years, the Chateaugay Revitalization Committee, the
Chateaugay Food Pantry for 15 years, and the Chateaugay Town Board since
1996; and

WHEREAS, Donald Bilow served on the Board of Cooperative Extension
for 12 years, six of them as president, is a Paul Harris Fellow, the St.
Patrick's Church Dinner organizer and chair and has been Supervisor of
the Town since 1998; and

WHEREAS, Under Donald Bilow's guidance, the Town Hall was completely
rehabilitated, the historic Town Theatre was restored into a true
showplace, major upgrades to the Town Recreation Park, including the
pools, pavilion, bathhouse, and a sewer connection were successfully
completed, and he led the effort to relocate and renovate the Town
Library, ensuring it found a lasting home on John Street; and

WHEREAS, It is the belief of this Legislative Body that individuals
like Donald Bilow, whose dedication and compassion uplift the community
and foster global understanding, deserve to be celebrated and
acknowledged for their remarkable contributions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient
of the Liberty Bell Award by the Franklin County Bar Association; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Donald Bilow.