LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert Esche upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Community Service Award by the North
Utica Senior Citizens Community Center on November 1, 2014

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, Robert Esche has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Robert Esche
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Community
Service Award by the North Utica Senior Citizens Community Center, to be
celebrated at its 7th Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, November 1,
2014, at Hart's Hill Inn, Whitesboro, New York; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award is given annually to honor an individ-
ual who has dedicated their life to helping others, and to raise funds
to enable the North Utica Senior Citizens Community Center to provide
programs and services to people of all age groups; and
WHEREAS, Robert Esche is a former Professional Hockey Player and
current Co-Owner of the Utica Comets, Garden Entertainment, and Aqua
Vino Restaurants, as well as Founder of the Save of the Day Foundation;
and
WHEREAS, Born January 22, 1978, in Whitesboro, New York, Robert Esche
began his illustrious professional hockey career with the Phoenix
Coyotes, and was then traded to the Philadelphia Flyers; in 2004, he
claimed the starting goaltending position for the Flyers, and led them
to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals; and
WHEREAS, Robert Esche represented the United States in the 1997 and
1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the IIHF World Champion-
ship in 2000, shutting out Russia, an accomplishment which represents
one of his greatest moments in hockey; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he represented the United States Team in 2001,
and received the starting nod at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey; he was
named to the 2006 United States Men's Olympic Hockey Team in Turin, and
played one game in the Olympic Tournament; and
WHEREAS, On June 14, 2013, Robert Esche, along with his partner,
brought an AHL team back to Utica; Comet fever began and caught on with
a vengeance; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Robert Esche, Utica Comet
tickets are a hot commodity, the auditorium is in its best shape ever,
and local businesses are flourishing on hockey nights; and
WHEREAS, Robert Esche has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the past decade, the Robert Esche Save of the Day
Foundation has raised an extraordinary magnitude of funds for terminally
ill children of the Mohawk Valley through fundraising events such as the
Save of the Day golf outing, charity softball games, and galas; this
exemplary organization proudly partners with the Utica Comets, and
promotes a healthy and happy lifestyle for local youth; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his stellar career, Robert Esche has been the
proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades some of which include
the 2002-2003 William M. Jennings Trophy, the 2002-2003 Yanick Dupre
Memorial, the 2003-2004 Pelle Lindbergh Memorial, and the 2008 World
Championships, Best Save Percentage; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Robert Esche has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife, Kelly, and
their two beautiful children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Robert Esche has displayed through-
out his life; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert Esche upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Community Service Award by the North Utica Senior Citizens Community
Center on November 1, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Esche.