Assembly Resolution No. 549

BY: M. of A. Schiavoni

HONORING Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his
retirement after decades of distinguished public
service on the East End of Long Island

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the 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 honor
Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades of
distinguished public service on the East End of Long Island; he will
retire on Wednesday, May 21, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the duration of his service, Robert I. Ross
rendered faithful, conscientious, and valuable service to the
communities of Suffolk County, New York; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as vice president of Community and
Government Relations at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, the auspicious
role from which he will retire, Robert I. Ross served with loyalty,
honor, and distinction; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his role at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in
2008, Robert I. Ross served for six years as the Southampton Town Deputy
Supervisor--a role in which he successfully worked to save the 106th
Rescue Wing from the Federal BRAC Commission; and

WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross previously served as a member of the
"Friends" 100 Rescue Wing Board of Advisors and, in January of 2008, was
appointed to the Board of Directors; in June of 2008, he was elected
vice chairman of the "Friends," a position he held for several years;
and

WHEREAS, Born and educated in New York City, Robert I. Ross later
moved to Hampton Bays, New York, where he led a fulfilling life of
service in many professional and volunteer capacities; and

WHEREAS, Ever active in his community and professional life, Robert
I. Ross held numerous executive management positions in the private
sector; he is also an honorary member of the Hampton Bays Volunteer
Ambulance Corp, a member of the Audit Committee of the Hampton Bays
Beautification Association, President of the Squire Woods Homeowners
Association, a former Director of AFTEE (All for the East End), a former
member of the Southampton Rotary Club, a former member of the
Charity-In-Action Board of the Dominican Sisters, a former director of
the Southampton Business Alliance, a former director of the Hampton Bays
Civic Association, and a former director of the Peconic Institute; and

WHEREAS, Further, Robert I. Ross also served as a member of
Southampton Town's SEA-TV committee, the town's Education and Government
channel, and as a member of the Southampton Town Board of Assessment
Review; and


WHEREAS, In February of 2009, Robert I. Ross was appointed by the
Southampton Town Board to the position of chair and commissioner of the
newly established Public Safety Commission and served with diligence and
grace until the close of 2023; he also serves as the treasurer of the
Town of Southampton Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross is a member of the Automobile License Plate
Collectors Association (ALPCA) and led a successful 15-year-long
lobbying effort for New York State to establish a 9-11-01 commemorative
license plate; the Department of Motor Vehicles began manufacturing the
license plates in April of 2019; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, Robert I. Ross nominated the New York State
Montauk Lighthouse Regional License Plate for the Plate of the Year
Award, which successfully won that designation; and

WHEREAS, In his official acts, Robert I. Ross was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and
his public service endeavors, Robert I. Ross earned the admiration,
esteem, and affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross resides in Hampton Bays where he will enjoy
his well-deserved retirement with his husband Lawrence Roth; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades
of distinguished service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert I. Ross.