LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rick Sheppard upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by All Event Travel Now, Inc. on
June 10, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals that have brought entertainment and cultural
enrichment to the citizens of 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 Rick
Sheppard upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at
the All White Extravaganza Celebrating Family Event to be held at the
Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, Long Island, New York, on Friday, June 10,
2011; and
WHEREAS, Rick Sheppard was born to entertain; he began performing as a
nine year old and by his teenaged years had a number of local television
appearances on his resume; his first real professional engagement
occurred in Miami, Florida, opening for Sammy Davis, Jr., and from then
on show business and entertaining would define his life; and
WHEREAS, The first several years would see Rick Sheppard on the road
in a seemingly endless stream of one-night club performances, until the
legendary manager George Treadwell, of The Drifters, was looking for
someone to join the band; he called Rick who lived in St. Albans,
Queens, New York, at the time, to see if he would be interested in join-
ing The Drifters, and the rest is history; and
WHEREAS, Rick Sheppard joined The Drifters in 1966, and recorded with
the group for Atlantic Records through the end of the '60s; for years,
he toured with the band throughout the world and shared stages with the
greatest names in show business; and
WHEREAS, Songs like "On Broadway," "Under The Boardwalk," "Save The
Last Dance For Me," "Up On The Roof," "This Magic Moment," "There Goes
My Baby," and many more are etched into the memories of music fans
worldwide and have helped form part of the foundation of contemporary
popular music; Rick Sheppard has been an integral part of The Drifters
success for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the music
of our Nation, to honor our artists and musicians, and to express our
appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate
the music, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the
only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which music is
truly the expression of the soul; and
WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; individuals who provide a means of preserving
a part of our rich American past and who contribute to the community in
such noble endeavors as aforementioned, are held in the highest regard
by this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rick Sheppard upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by All Event Travel Now, Inc. on June 10, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rick Sheppard.