LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Rocco DeFazio family, one of the
Founders of the Little Italy Neighborhood Association, upon the occasion
of their designation for special recognition by the Hudson Mohawk Indus-
trial Gateway on October 1, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Rocco DeFazio family, one of the Founders of the Little Italy Neigh-
borhood Association, upon the occasion of their designation for special
recognition by the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, celebrated at its
2015 Gala on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Troy Italian Community
Center in Troy, New York; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, First founded in 2005, the Little Italy Neighborhood Associ-
ation was formed by Marion Field, Michael Esposito, and the Rocco Defa-
zio family in an effort to establish Troy's Little Italy as an ethnic
tourist destination and to revitalize Troy's historic Hill Street Market
Place site; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1900s, many diverse ethnic groups immigrated to
Troy, New York, and by 1930, there were about 2,000 Italian immigrants
who called Troy their home; and
WHEREAS, During this industrious period, the Italian immigrants built
up their neighborhood which was located within a 20-block radius by
establishing over 60 mom-and-pop shops, churches, schools, a community
center as well as a veterans' post; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, over 100 homes and businesses were demolished
in Troy's Little Italy due to urban renewal and a failed highway plan;
and
WHEREAS, Today, the Little Italy Neighborhood Association has
recruited many volunteers to improve the once thriving community to make
it a safe place for people to live, work and visit; and
WHEREAS, Troy's revival has benefitted the Little Italy neighborhood
which is flourishing again; a sense of pride has been instilled into the
area and community members and local businesses support the Associ-
ation's goals; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations, such as the Rocco DeFazio family and the
Little Italy Neighborhood Association which serve to bring people
together for the united purpose of actively pursuing improvements within
their communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Rocco DeFazio family, one of the Founders of the Little
Italy Neighborhood Association, upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition by the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway on Octo-
ber 1, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Rocco DeFazio family, Little Italy Neighborhood Associ-
ation.