LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Tom Bucaria upon the occasion of his
designation as 2013 Person of the Year by the ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD on
December 26, 2013

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Tom Bucaria has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Tom Bucaria
upon the occasion of his designation as 2013 Person of the Year by the
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD on December 26, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Tom Bucaria is an attorney in District Court in Hempstead,
New York; the third son of Alfred and Catherine Bucaria, he was born in
Richmond Hill, Queens, and raised in Garden City; he earned a degree in
history from Villanova University in 1980, and a law degree from the
University of Bridgeport School of Law, in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Tom Bucaria has been president of the Rockville Centre Little
League since 2010; under his expansive leadership, this much-loved
sports organization has broadened its focus to emphasize community
service, truly establishing it as a positive force for the entire commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Since Tom Bucaria's first year as president, the Little
League's Kick-off Parade Food Drive has collected nearly 10,000 pounds
of food donations, all of which goes to Rockville Centre food pantries;
and
WHEREAS, Led by Tom Bucaria, in 2012 the Rockville Centre Little Leag-
ue inaugurated its own chapter of the Challenger Division, a baseball
team for disabled youths; the group began its first season with 16 play-
ers and approximately 30 student members of the Best Buddies program, an
organization that creates friendships between volunteers and people with
developmental disabilities; in 2013, the Challenger Division had twice
as many players and nearly 80 Buddies; and
WHEREAS, Tom Bucaria has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, He chairs the Lawyers Assistance Program, which helps attor-
neys who are dealing with financial or emotional issues, and chairs Boy
Scouts of America Troop 163's planning committee, also working as a
merit badge counselor; in addition, this compassionate man sits on the
board of the We Care Fund, which distributes charitable grants to
improve the lives of children, the elderly and others in need across the
county; for the past 13 years, Tom Bucaria has dressed as Santa Claus
for the fund's annual Gingerbread University fundraiser; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Tom Bucaria partnered with the Rockville Centre
mayor to improve the ball fields in Rockville Centre; the ensuing publ-
ic-private partnership between the village and the Little League
resulted in a number of the parks being irrigated and evenly planed, and
the completion of a much anticipated new field; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Tom Bucaria has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Eileen Burke, and
their children, Catherine and Michael, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Tom Bucaria has displayed throughout
his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tom Bucaria upon the occasion of his designation as 2013 Person of
the Year by the ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tom Bucaria.