LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michael D. Occhipinti upon the occasion
of receiving the 2010 Medal of 1777 Award from the Rome Historical Soci-
ety on August 10, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor serve to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and 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 honor
Michael D. Occhipinti upon the occasion of receiving the 2010 Medal of
1777 Award from the Rome Historical Society at a special ceremony to be
held at The Beeches on Tuesday, August 10, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of 1777 symbolizes the unconquered defenders of
Fort Stanwix during the British siege in the American Revolution; each
year the medal is awarded to an individual who has exhibited dedication
to the preservation of local history and the American heritage; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Roman, Michael D. Occhipinti is greatly known for
the accomplishments made throughout his banking career and as a contrib-
utor to his community at the Rome YMCA and Rome Rotary; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Rome Free Academy Class of 1949, Michael D.
Occhipinti began his banking career on January 2, 1951, when he was
hired by the Rome Trust Company, working at several departments within
the bank; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Michael D. Occhipinti was promoted to head teller,
and in 1957 was made an officer of the bank, being promoted to assistant
treasurer; in 1957 he made Branch Manager at the Mohawk Acres Branch
Office, and in 1970 was promoted to Assistant Vice-President and Branch
Manager of the office; he retired in May 1994, having worked for 43
years; and
WHEREAS, In January 2008, Michael D. Occhipinti accepted a job with
Rome Savings Bank, with the title of Community Relations Specialist,
where he continues to help people with their financial needs; and
WHEREAS, At the young age of 16, Michael D. Occhipinti worked for the
Rome YMCA in the Boys Department, where he helped form a YMCA Basketball
League for boys age 16 and younger; he was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout
Troop 11 for seven years, and had more than 60 members in his troop when
he left; he also served as Chairman of the Fort Stanwix Council; and
WHEREAS, Michael D. Occhipinti also served on the United Way Commit-
tee; as treasurer of the Rome Jaycees and organized a parade in Rome on
Flag Day; worked with the Elks Club of Rome to organize another parade
on Flag Day in downtown Rome; was a committee member of Rome Sports Hall
of Fame; and served as Chairman of the 100th Anniversary for St. John
the Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Michael D. Occhipinti organized and is Chairman
of the Rome Bowl Game played in October at RFA stadium; working with the
Rome Colts Pop Warner football team, together with the Rome Sports Hall
of Fame, the game is now in its fourth year, with invitations going out
to teams from outside the area to come play; he was also one of the
driving forces behind the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier
being built in Rome; and
WHEREAS, As for Rome Rotary, Michael D. Occhipinti joined the club in
1970 with the classification of Commercial Banking, and has served on
several of its committees; he served on its Board of Directors and
served as President from 1980-81; he brought the club membership up to
90 before leaving office; and

WHEREAS, He served as Chairman of the Rome Rotary 60th, 70th, 75th and
90th Anniversaries; for the 75th Anniversary, he was able to obtain the
Glenn Miller Orchestra for entertainment; and
WHEREAS, After leaving office of Rome Rotary, Michael D. Occhipinti
was approached to run for office as District Governor; he was unanimous-
ly selected as District Governor Elect at the 1984 district conference
held in Pennsylvania, and in 1985-86, became District Governor of 40
Rotary clubs in the central New York region; at the international meet-
ings he attended, he brought the "Gift of Life" program into his Rotary
district; the program ran for 13 years with 34 children from 10 coun-
tries receiving open heart surgery; and
WHEREAS, With the help of his club at the district conference held in
Toronto, Canada, Michael D. Occhipinti had a record crowd in attendance,
which to this day has not been equaled; working together with his gover-
nor counter-part in India, he helped build 40 homes in their district,
with the names of club members placed outside every house; and
WHEREAS, After finishing his term as governor, Michael D. Occhipinti
was made a Paul Harris Fellow; and
WHEREAS, With more than 450 Rotary districts in the world, it was
impossible for the current president of Rotary International to visit
every district in the world to speak at their district conference during
their one term in office; Rotary International, working with the current
presidents, would assign a past Rotary International president, Rotary
directors or the past-district governor to represent the president and
his wife at the conference; and
WHEREAS, Michael D. Occhipinti and his wife were chosen by three Rota-
ry International presidents to represent them; in 1987, he and his wife
traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to speak at their district confer-
ence, in 1988 in Ottawa, Canada and in 1995 at Tamiment, Pennsylvania;
and
WHEREAS, In 1993, Michael D. Occhipinti's name was submitted to Rotary
International for the "Service Above Self" award; out of 1.1 million
Rotarians, only 91 were chosen for the award; he was one of the 91
selected and the award was presented to him by the current district
governor at a conference held in Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS, Michael D. Occhipinti has also worked with a group of Rotari-
ans, veterans and city leaders to develop and enhance a veterans' War
Memorial for those in Rome who died during World War II at the sight of
the B-52 bomber; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Michael D. Occhipinti was asked to serve as Chair-
man of the Polio Eradication Committee for his district; as of June 30
of this year, the amount raised by clubs in his district was $100,400;
his term will end June 30, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Michael D. Occhipinti has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Michael D. Occhipinti upon the occasion of receiving the 2010
Medal of 1777 Award from the Rome Historical Society on August 10, 2010;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael D. Occhipinti.