LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Tom Pillsworth upon the occasion of his
designation as a recipient of the Services to Armed Forces Legacy Award
by the American Red Cross

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and support
the purposeful cause of the American Red Cross, recognizing its long and
sustained commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom so
revered by this State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Tom Pillsworth
upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of the Services to
Armed Forces Legacy Award by the American Red Cross on Thursday, March
7, 2013 in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in January of 1940, Tom Pillsworth was raised in the
city of Rensselaer, graduating from St. John's Academy; he later earned
a bachelor's degree in economics from Siena College in 1961 and a
master's degree in political science from The College of St. Rose in
1996; and
WHEREAS, Commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army Artil-
lery, Mr. Pillsworth served on active duty in Europe from 1962 to 1964;
following his service, he returned to live in the Town of Colonie; and
WHEREAS, Following a distinguished career working for the New York
State Department of Civil Service and with experience having served as a
consultant to the governments of Ukraine and Kenya along with his mili-
tary background, Tom Pillsworth is a crucial volunteer for the American
Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces and for the American Red Cross
National Disaster Action Team; and
WHEREAS, On Monday, September 10, 2001, Pillsworth was at the Albany
Chapter of the American Red Cross participating in training on advanced
disaster relief; the next day he reported to New York City to help with
the 9/11 relief effort, serving there for 10 days and making two more
trips the following year; and
WHEREAS, In addition to Tom Pillsworth's disaster action team
services, he is a member of the American Red Cross Services to Armed
Forces (SAF) team; in 2005, he would be called on for another extraor-
dinary situation, deploying to Baghdad, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, As an American Red Cross Services to Armed Forces Volunteer
(SAF), Tom Pillsworth spent many months training with the United States
Marine Corps and the Army, as well as participated in training exercises
in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. to prepare for his tour; and
WHEREAS, American Red Cross deployment sites provide emergency commu-
nication services and boosts morale and quality of life for those serv-
ing; each year, the Red Cross delivers more than 600,000 emergency
communication messages, from birth announcements to notification of
illness or death in the family; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of Tom Pillsworth's six-month tour in Baghdad was
essentially emergency communications; he was trained to find soldiers
and notify them of family emergencies at home; and
WHEREAS, A morale booster, Tom Pillsworth utilized his skills to
create an atmosphere where many could find a few moments away from the
day to day stresses of combat; his strong compassion for the troops and
his willingness to go the extra mile was evident to many; and
WHEREAS, Tom Pillsworth's inclusion in the Legacy project allows us to
document, honor, and recognize the tremendous legacy of American Red
Cross SAF volunteers and staff that have supported the United States
military serving on combat, peacekeeping, peace-making and humanitarian
missions; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Tom Pillsworth's distinguished
record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tom Pillsworth upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient
of the Services to Armed Forces Legacy Award by the American Red Cross;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tom Pillsworth.