LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.,
Capital Region, New York 2 upon the occasion of its Seventh Annual Blue
Jean Ball, and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate their
lives and careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Blue Star
Mothers of America, Inc., Capital Region, New York 2 upon the occasion
of its Seventh Annual Blue Jean Ball, to be held on Saturday, April 12,
2014, at the Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion Post 1520, Albany, New
York, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a support organization
for mothers of children who have served, or are currently serving in the
United States military; they are named after the signature blue stars
that mothers hang in their windows when their children are called to
service; and
WHEREAS, Since World War II, Blue Star Mothers have performed impor-
tant volunteer duties on the home front, and have worked in hospitals
and on civil defense; and
WHEREAS, This illustrious organization's Seventh Annual Blue Jean Ball
will recognize individuals and associations which have made outstanding
contributions to their mission of supporting our troops; and
WHEREAS, The Freedom Award is being given to four deserving honorees
for their tremendous support of Blue Star Mothers over the years; they
include Kathleen Morrell, Columbia Tae Kwon Do, Barb Erceg, and Coxsack-
ie Hose Company No. 3; and
WHEREAS, Kathleen Morrell and Columbia Tae Kwon Do have been selected
for their generous contributions of storage space and support in ship-
ping care packages to service members deployed overseas; and
WHEREAS, Barb Erceg is being recognized for her dedication to teaching
elementary school children the meaning of patriotism; she has brought
her students to help pack at the Holiday Troop Drive and also to make
blankets for the group Uncle Shawn's Hugs; and
WHEREAS, Coxsackie Hose Company No. 3 is being honored for its gener-
ous allowance of the use of the fire house to make blankets for Uncle
Shawn's Hugs, and for the wonderful lunches served during this time; and
WHEREAS, The Liberty Award is being given to three worthy honorees who
have significantly donated their time and resources to the overall mili-
tary community; they include Chef David James Robinson and Susan and
Michael Ayala; and
WHEREAS, Chef David James Robinson is being honored for his work with
Culinary Command Training, an elite and intensive culinary training
program for returning veterans, as well as those in the active military
to help them transition into careers in restaurants, hotels, food
service and hospitality; and
WHEREAS, Susan and Michael Ayala have been jointly selected for their
dedication to the Military Courtesy Room at Albany International
Airport; they have created a family tradition of volunteering every
Thanksgiving and Christmas bringing a traditional dinner to share with
those visiting members of the United States military on that day; and
WHEREAS, The Patriot Award is being given to two remarkable organiza-
tions for their generous help to Blue Star Mothers; and
WHEREAS, Doctors of the orthodontist firm, Decker, Sbuttoni, Bogho-
sian, Dicerbo and Lawless are being recognized for their donating
hundreds of pounds of candy for deployed service members; and

WHEREAS, Racing City Chorus is being recognized for their stirring
musical performance at the Blue Star Mothers Luncheon; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by Blue Star
Mothers and these outstanding honorees for the benefit of service
members past and present; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and associations 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 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Capital Region, New York 2
upon the occasion of its Seventh Annual Blue Jean Ball, and paying trib-
ute to this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Capital Region, New York
2, and the aforementioned honorees.