LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Paul Sorvino upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2015 Italian American of the Year by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout this great 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
Paul Sorvino upon the occasion of his designation as the 2015 Italian
American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian American
State Legislators to be celebrated on June 8, 2015, in Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, A native of Brooklyn, New York, Paul Sorvino is an accom-
plished actor, director, author, screenwriter, operatic tenor, sculptor,
pianist, passionate cook, and proud Italian-American whose noble fami-
ly's coat of arms dates back to the 12th Century; and
WHEREAS, Paul Sorvino began his entertainment career as a 16-year-old
singer at a Catskills resort, and, by the age of 25, he was acting and
singing on Broadway in the 1964 musical "Bajour"; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished actor with roles in more than 170 films to
his credit, Paul Sorvino is best known for his portrayal of tough guys
such as Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film "Goodfellas," and as
Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone's 1995 film "Nixon"; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he has starred in a variety of television shows,
and is best remembered as Phil Cerreta on "Law and Order" and Al Miller
on the sitcom "Still Standing"; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable entertainer is also a professional bronze
sculptor, pianist and businessman as well as an accomplished operatic
tenor; at the age of 40, he made his operatic debut in "Die Fledermaus"
selling out six performances at the Seattle Opera, and in 2006 sang the
lead in "The Most Happy Fella" at The New York City Opera at Lincoln
Center which sold out 15 performances; and
WHEREAS, Paul Sorvino has also directed productions both on and off-
Broadway, and was the artistic director of The American Stage Company,
which he founded on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University; and
WHEREAS, A bestselling author, Paul Sorvino based his book, HOW TO
BECOME A FORMER ASTHMATIC, on his early life as a sufferer of severe
asthma attacks; during this time, he created and mastered breathing
techniques which helped control the attacks and founded the Sorvino
Asthma Foundation to educate the public about asthma; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Paul Sorvino
has been twice honored by the Pope for his work with asthmatics, as well
by the American Medical Association; he is also a Knight of the Great
Cross and a Knight of the Italian Republic; and
WHEREAS, Paul Sorvino has truly distinguished himself through his
wonderful career and service to others, and, consequently, the Italian-
American community and all of New York State has profited greatly from
his talent and dedication; 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
commend Paul Sorvino upon the occasion of his designation as the 2015

Italian American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian Amer-
ican State Legislators; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul Sorvino.