LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2015 Frank Clark
Service Award by the Rome Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
the dedicated efforts of those individuals from across the State of New
York who volunteer their time and energies in service to the community;
and
WHEREAS, Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford have given not only of their
time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leader-
ship and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ellie Bruce
and Dale Rashford upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of the 2015 Frank Clark Service Award by the Rome Sports Hall of Fame to
be celebrated at its 39th Annual Dinner at the Beeches Inn and Confer-
ence Center, Rome, New York, on Sunday, July 26, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award is named in memory of Frank Clark, a
long-time member of the Rome Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors and
a valued member of numerous community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford have contributed many years of
faithful service to the Rome sports community, as well as to civic and
charitable causes, and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, One of the original founders of the Rome Sports Hall of Fame
in 1977, Ellie Bruce has served in several vital roles throughout her 38
years of volunteer service with the organization; during this time, she
has held the office of President, chaired several committees, and
remains an active member on the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable woman has sponsored the Ellie
Bruce Exceptional Team of Excellence Award and has been active in such
community services as the Rome Hospital Twigs, Rome Historical Society,
Jervis Public Library, Ava Dorfman Senior Center, Hospice Care, and
CareNet; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of youth sports in the City of Rome, Dale
Rashford has guided and mentored young athletes as a coach in soccer,
basketball, and baseball; he has also served as a 23-year member of
IAABO Board 51 as a high school boys basketball referee, and has partic-
ipated as referee for Empire State Games boys basketball games and
tryouts; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Dale Rashford has been a dedicated member of the
Rome Lions Club for 33 years, and has been an avid supporter of his alma
mater, Rome Catholic High School, for the past four decades; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford have
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford have
displayed throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence 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
honor Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the 2015 Frank Clark Service Award by the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ellie Bruce and Dale Rashford.