LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ricky Palermo upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ricky Palermo
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, A native of Batavia, New York, Ricky Palermo was involved in
an automobile accident in 1981, which injured his spinal cord and left
him paralyzed from the chest down; and
WHEREAS, With the support of family and friends, Ricky Palermo started
an annual golf tournament in an effort to raise awareness and funding
for people with spinal cord injuries; and
WHEREAS, For the past 17 years, the Ricky Palermo Spinal Injury Golf
Tournament has donated significant funds in support of research and
further care for those with this affliction; and
WHEREAS, This year's 18th Annual Palermo Golf Tournament and Dinner
will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2015; other events taking place
throughout the year include a lacrosse clinic, as well as a soccer and
basketball clinic; and
WHEREAS, An avid sports fan, Ricky Palermo played soccer, basketball,
and football at Byron Bergen High School; he was named Most Valuable
Player in each of these sports, and is a recipient of his school's
Athlete of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ricky Palermo has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his parents, Virginia and Pat,
his brother, Jim (Nancy), his sister, Patty (Joe), and his three nieces,
Jamie, Amy, and Annie, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quali-
ty of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-
worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ricky Palermo upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ricky Palermo.