Senate Resolution No. 4564

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 30th Anniversary of LaRoma's
Pizzeria & Restaurant of Rome, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
illustrious culinary establishments which have positively impacted and
substantially contributed to the vitality of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant of
Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, Russell Digristina grew up as a farmer in Schuyler, New
York; after working long hard days on the family farm, he started having
big dreams of one day opening his own business; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Russell and his brother, Charlie, decided to make
that dream a reality and purchased an old 1,300 square foot gas station
and converted it to a pizzeria on the corner of Floyd Avenue and E.
Bloomfield Street in Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, The brothers successfully completed the renovations with
some help from experienced friends and local contractors and, on March
8, 1988, they were officially opened for business; and

WHEREAS, With their entire family and staff by their side, Russell
and Charlie Digristina began serving their family recipes to Rome and
its surrounding communities; just three weeks after opening, LaRoma's
Pizzeria & Restaurant was quickly becoming a popular choice for quality
pizza and Italian dishes; and

WHEREAS, The brothers' passion for food within their Italian
heritage was now being shared and enjoyed by all of their customers,
just as their family had enjoyed on the family farm; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Russell and Charlie Digristina made the decision
to purchase another building and branch out with a second location; this
was the beginning of what would today become Charlie's Pizza throughout
the Utica area; as a result, Charlie and Russell now have their own
pizzeria's, and continued to help build and support one another's
business; and

WHEREAS, As LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant continued to grow,
Russell Digristina began to explore the idea of expanding the menu and
facility to better serve his customers; he acquired surrounding
properties which allowed him to expand its existing footprint; as a
result, a new state-of-the-art facility was constructed on the same
corner and transitioned into a new 3,000 square foot building; and

WHEREAS, With the new building and continued support from the local
community, LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant experienced steady growth; the
dedicated staff members, many of which have been there for more than 15
years, have become extended family members; and


WHEREAS, A landmark within its community, after 30 years, the owners
and staff of LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant continue to make their dough
from scratch daily, aging it to perfection, hand tossing it, topping it
with their homemade pizza sauce, and finishing it off with top grade
mozzarella cheese and premium toppings; and

WHEREAS, The remarkable success of LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant is
due in large part to its owners, Russell and Janice Digristina, whose
warmth and hospitality are easily recognized by their loyal patrons;
this dynamic couple is well-versed in customer service and truly makes
everyone who walks through their door feel like family; and

WHEREAS, For three decades, LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant has stood
as a beloved establishment which has provided a friendly, open
environment for patrons to collectively gather and share their thoughts,
ideas and life experiences; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business and its contributions to the
local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to
enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of LaRoma's Pizzeria & Restaurant of
Rome, New York, and to offer best wishes to Russell and Janice
Digristina for continued success in all their future endeavors; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Russell and Janice Digristina.