LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Edward A. Diana upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award by
Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County on April 3, 2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Edward A. Diana has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Edward A.
Diana upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2014
Lifetime Achievement Award by Catholic Charities Community Services of
Orange County, to be celebrated at the 2014 Caritas Awards, 8th Annual
Celebration of Charity on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Anthony's Pier 9
in New Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, Retired Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana is a lifelong
resident of Orange County, born and raised in Middletown, New York; he
is a graduate of Orange County Community College, and holds a Bachelor
of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University, as well as
a Master's in Education from Ithaca College; and
WHEREAS, Edward A. Diana was elected County Executive in 2001, and
served with distinction for three terms; prior to that, he served 12
years as a County Legislator and for six years, held the position as
County Majority Leader; he also served as a Councilman and Deputy Super-
visor in the Town of Wallkill during the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as County Executive, Edward A. Diana was
instrumental in the opening of a state-of-the-art Emergency Services
Complex in Goshen; the center is home to one of the most sophisticated
and technologically advanced E-911 and Emergency Operations Centers in
the nation and has scored high marks from the Department of Homeland
Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Edward A. Diana worked as an
educator, physical education instructor, and coach in the Minisink
Valley School District; during this time, he owned and operated the
downtown Middletown restaurant, Diana's, established in 1936 by his
parents and grandparents; and
WHEREAS, Edward A. Diana has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, An avid volunteer, Edward A. Diana has been a member and
supporter of numerous civic organizations; he was named to the Board of
Trustees of the Orange County Citizens Foundation, and has served on the
boards of the Sons of Italy, the Middletown Elks, UNICO, and the Goshen
Historic Track; and
WHEREAS, Edward A. Diana has received countless awards and accolades
for his efforts and leadership by organizations throughout the Hudson
Valley some of which include: Orange County Chamber of Commerce Presi-
dent's Award, United Way Spirit of Caring Award, Greater Hudson Valley
Family Health Center's Pillar of the Community, Occupations' Heart of
Gold, the Mental Health Associations Silver Bell Award, and the New York
State SUNY Community College Alumni of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Edward A. Diana was presented with the key to
his hometown, the City of Middletown, in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Edward A. Diana has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Mary, and their
daughters, Lindsay and Danielle, as well as their grandchildren, Ava and
Marc, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Edward A. Diana has displayed
throughout his life; 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
honor Edward A. Diana upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award by Catholic Charities Community
Services of Orange County on April 3, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Edward A. Diana.