LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Publicity Director John Manzi upon the
occasion of his retirement after 40 years of distinguished service to
Monticello Raceway

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Publicity Director John Manzi upon the occasion of his retirement after
40 years of distinguished service to Monticello Raceway; he officially
retired on Friday, December 19, 2014; and
WHEREAS, John Manzi began his illustrious career in harness racing as
a young man in 1958 when he started working as a trainer in his family's
stables; he subsequently won seven out of his first eight races and
continued on to great success; and
WHEREAS, After competing all over the East Coast for many years, John
Manzi returned home to Monticello Raceway in 1974; he became the Assist-
ant to the Racing Secretary, and two years later, was assigned to Monti-
cello Raceway's Office of Publicity and Public Relations; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, this esteemed man was promoted to Publicity Direc-
tor, the position he would occupy for the next 40 years, serving with
loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, John Manzi built an impressive legacy at Monticello Raceway,
raising the profile of the race track through numerous promotional
events including a contest between a New York Giants Football Player and
"the losingest horse in the world"; and
WHEREAS, A great ambassador and tireless champion for the sport of
harness racing, John Manzi has helped many of its various organizations
through his benevolent efforts; he has worked diligently to raise funds
for the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, the Goshen Historic
Track, the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame, the Standardbred Retirement
Fund, and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, John Manzi has been a driving force in the
Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Associ-
ation (USHWA), leading its annual banquet held to honor local horsemen,
with proceeds benefitting worthwhile causes throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, John Manzi, a vital part of numerous harness racing organiza-
tions, is a former National President of both USHWA and the Harness
Publicist Association; he has done publicity for the New York Sires
Stakes, the Billings Amateur Driving Series and the North American
Amateur Drivers Association; and
WHEREAS, John Manzi has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades during his remarkable career, including the Proximity Award
from USHWA, the Pinnacle Award from the Harness Racing Museum and Hall
of Fame, the Appreciation Award from Harness Horsemen International, and
the Laurel Award from New York City USHWA; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Manzi is a member of the Communicator's
Hall of Fame in Goshen and was named USHWA's Person of the Year in 1992;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Publicity Director John Manzi upon the occasion of his retire-

ment after 40 years of distinguished service to Monticello Raceway; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Manzi.