LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2013 Business Person
of the Year Award by the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those illus-
trious individuals and institutions of the State of New York whose
purposeful endeavors serve to enhance the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2013 Business Person of the Year Award by the Greater
Utica Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at its Annual Membership
Meeting luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Hart's Hill Inn in
Whitesboro, New York; and
WHEREAS, Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche are the co-owners/partners of
the Utica Comets American Hockey League Team; together, they will
receive this auspicious award for their efforts in bringing a successful
American Hockey League franchise back to Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, Frank DuRoss, Chairman of the Utica Comets American Hockey
League Team, has a history of business success and community connections
for more than 25 years; he has been a professional sports team owner for
much of that time, beginning with the Mohawk Valley Stars ice hockey
team; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Frank DuRoss was President of the Utica Devils,
and Co-owner of the Maine Mariners, later known as the Calder Cup
winning Providence Bruins; and
WHEREAS, With his professional behavior, corporate innovation, and
enduring commitment to his community, Frank DuRoss has owned or started
18 successful business ventures including the Rochester Rhinos Soccer
Team, DuRoss Realty Corp., Oneida Asbestos Removal, and Oneida Building
Services; and
WHEREAS, Robert Esche, President of the Utica Comets American Hockey
League Team, was a goaltender for the Phoenix Coyotes from 1998 until
2002, and then for the Philadelphia Flyers from 2002 until 2007; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, he teamed up with Roman Cechmanek, and won the
William N. Jennings Trophy, which is awarded to the goalkeeper who has
played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored
against it; and
WHEREAS, During his illustrious professional hockey career, Robert
Esche represented the United States as goalkeeper at the World Cup of
Hockey, and again in the Ice Hockey World Championships for several
years, as well as tending goal in Torino during the 2006 Winter Olym-
pics; and
WHEREAS, After completing his professional career with teams in the
former Soviet Union and Switzerland, Robert Esche returned home to begin
several business ventures including Aqua Vino Restaurant, Esche's Family
Farms, and in the spring of 2013, the Mohawk Valley Garden, as well as
Utica Comets American Hockey League team; and
WHEREAS, Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche have been called upon to
contribute their time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Robert Esche founded the Save of the Day Foundation and has
raised a significant amount of funds for terminally ill children in the
Mohawk Valley; his main initiative is promoting healthy and happy life-
styles for local youth; Frank DuRoss is a member of the American Hockey
League Executive Committee; and

WHEREAS, With their proven business leadership abilities and their
evident dedication to their community, Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche are
the quintessential selection for the prestigious "Business Person of the
Year" Award; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the 2013 Business Person of the Year Award by
the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Frank DuRoss and Robert Esche.