Assembly Resolution No. 530

BY: M. of A. DenDekker

COMMENDING Robert D. Manfred, Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017
Italian American of the Year Award 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 Robert D. Manfred, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2017 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators to be celebrated on
Monday, June 5, 2017, in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Robert D. Manfred, Jr.'s maternal great-grandfather,
Antonio Aquino, came to America at the age of 17 from Cosenza, Calabria,
Italy; he landed at Ellis Island in 1900 and moved to Rome, New York,
where he had relatives from his mother's family; and

WHEREAS, Antonio Aquino eventually married Filomena Giardino; they
had one surviving child, Louis Aquino, Robert D. Manfred, Jr.'s
grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Antonio, who was trained as a shoemaker in Italy, and his
son ran a shoe business in Canastota, New York, beginning in 1927 and
continuing until Louis retired in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Robert D. Manfred, Jr.'s maternal grandmother, Philomena
Carnavale was from Oneida, New York; her family came to the United
States from Baranello, Molise, Italy and were in the construction
business, building sidewalks, sewers and other infrastructure in Oneida;
and

WHEREAS, In 1928, Philomena graduated from Munnsville Agricultural
and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Munnsville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Robert D. Manfred, Jr. is a graduate of Cornell University
and Harvard Law School; and

WHEREAS, Robert D. Manfred, Jr. was elected as the 10th Commissioner
in the history of Major League Baseball on August 14, 2014, by a vote of
the 30 Clubs; he officially became the sport's leader on January 25,
2015; and

WHEREAS, As Commissioner, Robert D. Manfred, Jr. has set goals for
the industry which focus on the expansion of youth participation,
international growth, improved pace of game, the infusion of technology,
increased marketing of the game's young stars and furtherance of the
game's diversity goals; and


WHEREAS, The 2016 season produced a new five-year collective
bargaining agreement, continuing an unprecedented era of labor peace
through 2021, and a record year for industry revenues and overall
business performance; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, Robert D. Manfred, Jr. became Major League
Baseball's Chief Operating Officer; prior to that, he had served as
Executive Vice President since 1998, directing all collective bargaining
issues, including successful renewals of the Basic Agreement in 2002,
2006 and 2011 and dramatically improved competitive balance; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Colleen, and their
four children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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 Robert D. Manfred, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2017 Italian American of the Year Award by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert D. Manfred, Jr.