LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dick Mattia upon the occasion of his
retirement after 26 years of distinguished service to the American Heart
Association's Greater Utica Division

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have devoted
themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their community
and the needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dick
Mattia upon the occasion of his retirement after 26 years of distin-
guished service to the American Heart Association's Greater Utica Divi-
sion; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a retirement dinner
held on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at the Hart's Hill Inn, Whitesboro,
New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 26 years, Dick Mattia rendered faithful, consci-
entious and valuable service to the American Heart Association, earning
the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, Dick Mattia began his career with the American Heart Associ-
ation on May 2, 1988, serving as Division Director for Chenango, Dela-
ware, and Otsego Counties; his tireless efforts on behalf of this life-
saving organization led to him becoming Executive Director of the
Greater Utica Division in 2000; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as Executive Director, this esteemed man
helped the Greater Utica Division expand its services, transforming the
annual charity race from a small function of 1,300 runners into Ameri-
ca's Greatest Heart Run & Walk, a major community event drawing approxi-
mately 9,000 people; and
WHEREAS, Dick Mattia's tremendous dedication helped America's Greatest
Heart Run & Walk become the number one ranked Heart Walk fundraiser in
America, serving as a model for other such events across the country;
and
WHEREAS, A true visionary, Dick Mattia was also instrumental in bring-
ing attention to women's health issues, helping to establish women's
heart health events in advance of national programs like the Go Red for
Women campaign; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his over two decades of service, Dick Mattia
served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and always showed a unique
grasp of human problems in his official acts; 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
honor Dick Mattia upon the occasion of his retirement after 26 years of
distinguished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dick Mattia.