LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial
Day Parade Dinner on May 15, 2015, and paying tribute to this year's
honorees

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village and hamlet within its
borders resonates with the rich and noble history of New York State and
this nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend events which symbolize the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State and embody the spirit of the principles
upon which this nation was founded, and to applaud individuals who have
dedicated their life's work in support and furtherance of those princi-
ples; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade Dinner, to be cele-
brated on Friday, May 15, 2015, at the Douglaston Golf Course in
Douglaston, New York, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, New York State was the first state to formally recognize
Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, as a holiday to honor our
fallen veterans; and
WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of the
month of May, we honor those Americans who gave their lives in defense
of their country, whether in the Civil War which divided our nation or
in times of war since that time, and in times of peace, in police
actions and minor skirmishes, in peacekeeping roles and in missions to
foreign lands to uphold the cherished principles of liberty and democra-
cy upon which our grand Republic was founded; and
WHEREAS, The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade is recognized
as being the largest in the nation; held annually since 1927, it is a
time for citizens to come together to honor veterans and fallen heroes,
and for the community to come together and celebrate; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade honorees
have tirelessly given of their time and energies to serve the best
interests of their communities and are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, This year's distinguished honorees include: Grand Marshal,
Commissioner Loree Sutton, MD; Man of the Year, Carl Mattone; Woman of
the Year, Lidia Bastianich; Community Service Award, Jerry Vilbig;
Honorary Grand Marshal, John Rowan; and Parade Marshals, Richard Wein-
berg, Robert McGarry, Pat Gualtieri, Sebastian D'Agostino, Vincent
McGowan and Joe Graham; and
WHEREAS, As we remember our deceased veterans, we also recall their
bravery and deeds, that in the more than 200 years of our country's
existence, have served to maintain our most precious freedoms; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade Dinner on May
15, 2015, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade committee and the
aforementioned honorees.