Assembly Resolution No. 923

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

COMMENDING Triple Cities Street Rods upon the
occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of New York State is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Triple Cities Street Rods upon the occasion of celebrating its
50th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Triple Cities Street Rods was established by eight
founding members, Mike Wright, Ron Greenman, Denny Ellis, Mike Ellis,
Lee Grabowski, Randy Bush, Denny Arrofat, and Ken Lopole, to promote
street rodding, assist members in building and maintaining their street
rods, and promote rodding as a family activity; and

WHEREAS, In 1974, Triple Cities Street Rods began hosting the
Hickories Rod Run at Hickories Park in Owego, New York; along with the
hot rods, there was always good food and free beer, a variety of games,
especially volleyball; a car pull, a poker run and a sock hop; and

WHEREAS, In the mid-1980s the club consisted of members from the
Binghamton area west to the Elmira area; the individuals from the Elmira
area decided to split off from Triple Cities Street Rods and formed the
Chemung Valley Street Rods Club; and

WHEREAS, During the next decade, the Hot Rodders started raising
funds for local charities through a sock hop/car cruise-in; later, it
became the Annual Cruz In/Sock Hop, which ran many years at the Vestal
American Legion, at the beginning of May, and it kicked off the car
cruising season; in 2008, the event was changed to the Pasta Dinner and
Cruise-In which is held at the Sons of Italy Hall in Endicott, New York;
and

WHEREAS, In 1998, Triple Cities Hot Rods reorganized its car show at
the Hickories Park into a two-day show known as Cars in the Park, which
was divided into two parts: Saturday, open parking, kids' games, poker
run, balloon toss and at times a car teeter totter, and a sock hop at
night with live music; and Sunday, cars parked in their specific
classes, many games continued, including kids painting cars and racing
them on a downhill wooden track, a Chinese Auction, zoo mobile and other
various events; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Cars in the Park was streamlined to the current
one-day show which is still packed with activities for all; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Triple Cities Hot Rods has donated over
$120,000 along with hundreds of pounds of food and over a thousand
turkeys (during the holiday food drives) to over 35 local charities; the
club has also supported 26 individuals with medical or financial

problems, and has awarded over $20,000 in tool sets to BOCES students
going into the automotive field; and

WHEREAS, Today, the club consists of 35 members and their spouses
who meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Blue Dolphin
restaurant in Apalachin, New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of Triple Cities Street Rods, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Triple Cities Street Rods upon the occasion of celebrating its
50th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Triple Cities Street Rods.