LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Zaino family upon the occasion of
their designation as recipient of the Family of the Year Award by the
Knights of Columbus

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Zaino family upon the occasion of their designation as recipient of the
Family of the Year Award by the Knights of Columbus, to be celebrated at
its First Annual Knights of Columbus Recognition Dinner to be held on
Saturday, January 23, 2016, in the Gymnasium at St. Edward the Confessor
Church, Syosset, New York; and
WHEREAS, On March 29, 1882, the Connecticut State Legislature offi-
cially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society;
today, the Order is still true to its founding principles of charity,
unity and fraternity; and
WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus was formed to render financial aid to
members and their families; mutual aid and assistance is offered to
sick, disabled and needy members and their families, and social and
intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families
through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief
and public relief works; and
WHEREAS, Devoted members of their church, Brian, Donna, Brianna and
John Zaino are best known as faithful participants at the 5 p.m. Mass at
St. Edward Confessor Church, Syosset, New York; and
WHEREAS, Brianna Zaino acted as an altar server from 5th grade until
she was a senior at Syosset High School, Donna Zaino often serves as an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and Brian and John have sold
popcorn for St. Edward's Cub Scout Pack 205; currently, this dynamic
family is helping with the monthly missioner's food collection before
and after 5 p.m. Mass; and
WHEREAS, Both Donna and Brian Zaino grew up in faith filled families
with each regularly attending 5 p.m. Mass at their respective churches;
Brian Zaino is from Garden City, New York, and was a parishioner at St.
Joseph Church, and Donna Zaino has been a member of St. Edward Confessor
Church since she was two; in addition, she is an alumna of St. Edward
Confessor School; and
WHEREAS, Donna Zaino earned her Bachelor's degree in both Elementary
and Special Education from Mount Saint Mary College; she obtained her
Master's degree in Special Education from St. John's University; and
WHEREAS, From 1981-1995, Donna Zaino was employed at the Epilepsy
Foundation of Long Island; she held the position of Director of Residen-
tial Services overseeing 10 group homes of developmentally disabled
adults; today, she remains with the agency, serving as an advocate for a
developmentally disabled adult living in its Westbury residence; and
WHEREAS, When her children were in Berry Hill Elementary School Donna
Zaino volunteered on many Parent Teacher Association (PTA) committees;
she also held the title of co-President of the South Woods Middle School
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA); for her incredible work, she
was the recipient of the PTA Distinguished Service Award; and
WHEREAS, An active member of St. Edward Confessor Church, Donna Zaino
has taught religious education classes for grades one through seven, and
acted as co-Chair of the Dinner Dance, BBQ fundraiser, and Welcome
Committee; she currently holds the position of Chair of the Parish

Purls, Hospital EMs, and the Ministry of Prayer; she participates on the
Parish Council and volunteers her time and energies helping those in
need who come into the food pantry at the Parish Social Ministry Office;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Donna Zaino works part-time as the Pastoral Care
Coordinator for Cold Spring Hills and assists Monsignor Bauhoff from
Holy Name of Jesus in providing spiritual care to the residents; the
success of this ministry at the nursing home is because of the dedicated
volunteers who come with a giving heart filled with joy which they share
with the residents each week; and
WHEREAS, Brian Zaino earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from the
University of Pennsylvania; he furthered his education by obtaining his
Master's degree in Computer Science and a Master's in Business Adminis-
tration in Business Computer Systems from Hofstra University; and
WHEREAS, Prior to holding the position of Software Process Improvement
Lead Analyst at Wolters Kluwer US, Brian Zaino was employed at Bank of
America as a Systems Engineer and held various positions at Reuters
America; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Brian Zaino became an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy
Scout Troop 205 to spend more time with his son John; two years later,
he held the title of the troop's 2nd Scoutmaster; and
WHEREAS, This past summer, Brian Zaino attained Brotherhood in the
Order of the Arrow, scouting's honor society; he also helped the first
three Scouts of Troop 205 attain the rank of Eagle Scout; and under the
supervision of Brian and Donna, Boy Scout Troop 205 has successfully run
two food drives every year; and
WHEREAS, Under Brian Zaino's dedicated leadership, the troop's enroll-
ment has grown to 21 scouts; needing more room, the troop committee
purchased a shed with money raised by the scouts; and
WHEREAS, As a high school student, Brianna Zaino volunteered in St.
Edward's religious education program teaching first grade for three
years; today, she is a full-time student at Cornell University studying
Material Science and Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering;
and
WHEREAS, At Cornell University, Brianna Zaino serves as an Extraor-
dinary Minister of Holy Communion, and during her college breaks she
helps her mother as a volunteer at Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing
and Rehabilitation in Woodbury; and
WHEREAS, John Zaino is a full time student at Adelphi University
studying Computer Science Information Security; he works part-time for
.SO DOC S R3332 RESO TEXT 2015
Eagle Sanitation helping with the bookkeeping; and
WHEREAS, Recently, John Zaino achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with
Boy Scout Troop 205; in addition, he serves as its Assistant Scoutmas-
ter; and
WHEREAS, In his spare time, John Zaino coaches the Robotics Team at
his alma mater, Syosset High School; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, the Zaino family has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, The Zaino family has continually demonstrated extreme compe-
tence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in their
unwavering service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which the Zaino family has displayed through-
out 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 the Zaino family upon the occasion of their designation as recipi-
ent of the Family of the Year Award by the Knights of Columbus; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Zaino family.