LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joseph P. Yozzo upon the occasion of
being inducted into the Rome Arts Hall of Fame on June 10, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the
cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Joseph P. Yozzo upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Arts
Hall of Fame at its Annual Induction Ceremony at the Capitol Theatre, in
Rome, New York, on June 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Rome Arts Hall of Fame was created in 2005, and is housed
in the mezzanine foyer of the Capitol; each year, nominations are
collected from community members and arts organizations, and a committee
made up of individuals from Rome's arts community chooses inductees; and
WHEREAS, Born in Rome, New York, Joseph P. Yozzo began performing
music in 1933; his first teacher was the legendary Enstacio Pinti,
director of the Rome White Band; initially playing tuba, in 1939, he
switched to the string bass; and
WHEREAS, In 1943, Joseph P. Yozzo joined the United States Armed
Services; after 16 weeks of basic training at Camp Wheller, Georgia, he
was shipped to the Russell Island, Guadal Canal where he spent five
months in combat duty before being selected by the 230th Army Ground
Force Band; and
WHEREAS, Joseph P. Yozzo played bass with Johnny Salerno's band for 36
years, and eventually performed with the Sal Alberico Band, and the No
Name Band; and
WHEREAS, Joseph P. Yozzo's gigs for Special Services included playing
for service shows featuring Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Franc-
es Langford, Jerry Colonna, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and played
for 26 shows with Jack Benny; and
WHEREAS, In his two years and 10 months with the Army Band, Joseph P.
Yozzo also sat in with such bands as Glenn Miller, Harry James, Tommy
Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Frankie Carl, and Les Brown; and
WHEREAS, Joseph P. Yozzo continued to perform after his discharge from
the military until 1960, when, shattered by the loss of his son, he put
down his string bass; urged on by fellow legendary musicians, he began
performing again; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED. That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joseph P. Yozzo upon the occasion of being inducted into the
Rome Arts Hall of Fame on June 10, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph P. Yozzo.