LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Roy A. Higgins upon the occasion of
his retirement after many years of distinguished service to Defense
Accounting and Finance Service of Rome, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Roy A. Higgins upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of
distinguished service to Defense Accounting and Finance Service of Rome,
New York; this momentous occasion will be celebrated with a Retirement
Party in his honor on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at Air Force Rome Labs
Hanger 101, Rome, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in Rochester, New York, Roy A. Higgins earned his Bach-
elor's degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the State
University of New York at Brockport in 1980; he received his Certified
Public Accountant license in 1988, as well as his Certified Government
Financial Manager; and
WHEREAS, Roy A. Higgins began his illustrious civilian federal career
in 1981, at the Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command at Rock Island
as an Operating Accountant for the Internal Controls Branch followed by
the Army Stock Fund Branch; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Roy A. Higgins assumed a position as a Systems
Accountant for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Accounting at the United
States Army Finance and Accounting Center; during this period, he
progressed to Lead Systems Accountant for the Program Budget Accounting
System FMS Module; and
WHEREAS, Roy A. Higgins became the Army's Program Manager for the FMS
Financial Management Improvement project in 1990; in this position, he
served as the Army representative on a committee with representatives
from the Navy, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, Office of the Secre-
tary of Defense, and the Defense Security Assistance Agency, responsible
for standardizing FMS accounting for the Department of Defense; and
WHEREAS, Just one year later in 1991, Roy A. Higgins became the
Finance and Accounting Officer at the United States Army Security
Assistance Command where he was responsible for 57 employees and
accounted for all of FMS sales; in March of 1993, the United States Army
Security Assistance Command was capitalized, and he was assigned as the
Defense Accounting Officer under the command and control of the Defense
Finance and Accounting Service, Denver Center; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to the position of Principal Deputy Director for
Defense Finance and Accounting Service's (DFAS) Rome Operating Location
in January of 1995, Roy A. Higgins was promoted to Director in March of
1999; he directed the DoD finance and accounting operations at Rome for
the DFAS agency, which disburses substantial funds in travel and vendor
payments each year for 16 Army customers located worldwide; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Roy A. Higgins was selected as the Accounting High
Performing Organization Project Manager for the Agency, as well as the
DFAS Rome Director of Audit Readiness in December of 2010; in April of
2013, he was appointed to his current position as the Deputy Director of
DFAS Rome; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Deputy Director, Roy A. Higgins served
with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Roy A. Higgins, DFAS Rome has
received numerous awards and accolades, culminating with a Hammer Award
for its partnership with Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM); and

WHEREAS, As Deputy Director of DFAS Rome, Roy A. Higgins was presented
with an Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civil-
ian Service Transition Award at a ceremony on January 18, 2001; this
prestigious award is given in recognition of exceptional leadership
within the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, Roy A. Higgins is a member of the Association of Government
Accountants (AGA) and the American Society of Military Comptrollers
(ASMC) CNY Leatherstocking Chapter, where he held the office of Presi-
dent from 1997 to March of 2001; today, he is an auxiliary Vice Presi-
dent to the ASMC Chapter; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, recognizing his contributions to the CNY Leath-
erstocking Chapter, Roy A. Higgins was presented an esteemed National
ASMC Award for chapter leadership; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his renowned federal career, Roy A. Higgins has
been actively involved in the community he so ably serves; he volunteers
his time and energies to youth ice hockey, church activities, scouting,
and performing magic shows for local hospitals and nursing homes; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with Defense Accounting and Finance Service
of Rome, Roy Higgins earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Roy A. Higgins upon the occasion of his retirement after many
years of distinguished service to Defense Accounting and Finance Service
of Rome, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Roy Higgins.