LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Saverio Spagnolo 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 Saverio Spag-
nolo 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 a
resolution in 2014 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, Affectionately known as Sam, Saverio Spagnolo has been feed-
ing people in Potsdam, New York for nearly 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Sam Spagnolo and his wife Carmela, were married June 14,
1959, in Italy; soon after, he joined his wife in the north country and
opened a barber shop in Potsdam at what later became the Roxy Theatre;
and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Sam Spagnolo and his wife opened up Sergi's Italian
Restaurant & Pizzeria along with his sister, Maria and her husband; one
year later, the couple opened up Sergi's Restaurant & Pizzeria on Market
Street in Potsdam, and continue to operate at this location today; and
WHEREAS, Sam Spagnolo has hosted dozens of organizations in his
restaurant, and has provided countless pizzas and Italian dishes to
people within the community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout nearly five decades in business, Sam Spagnolo has
given opportunities to hundreds of St. Lawrence County residents; he
currently employs approximately 20 people, and has been recognized by
several organizations, including the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, for
his continued excellence; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he received the Gertie LaBaff Community Service
Award and was inducted into the Potsdam Central School Athletic Hall of
Fame in 2007; on the occasion of Sam and Carmela's 50th Wedding Anniver-
sary in 2009, Canton-Potsdam Hospital dedicated its physician's lounge
in their honor; and
WHEREAS, A longtime owner of racehorses, Sam Spagnolo's colts have
raced in several states across the Northeast and into Canada; one of his
horses, Dear Star, was a former World Champion in 1979; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Carmela, as well as
their two children, Lisa and Frank, and four grandchildren, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Sam Spagnolo continues to live his life with great dignity
and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and continuing concern
for human values and ideals; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Sam Spagnolo, devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Saverio Spagnolo 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 Saverio Spagnolo.