LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the John R.
Oishei Foundation

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
illustrious organizations whose focus and intent have made a substantial
impact on the quality of life in 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 commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of the John R. Oishei Foundation; and
WHEREAS, In 1940, John R. Oishei, founder of Trico Products Corpo-
ration in Buffalo, New York, established the John R. Oishei Foundation,
formerly known as the Julia R. and Estelle L. Foundation, which was
funded with both annual contributions and charitable remainder trusts;
and
WHEREAS, John R. Oishei's appreciation of Buffalo, New York, and its
citizens, particularly those who became employees of Trico, was the
basis of his strong desire that the work of the John R. Oishei Founda-
tion be directed to Buffalo-connected activities which improve the lives
of its residents; and
WHEREAS, While John R. Oishei served as President from its inception
until his death in 1968, the John R. Oishei Foundation concentrated its
support on hospitals and schools in the Buffalo area with the balance
being directed to cultural and social services needs; and
WHEREAS, Until 1997, all John R. Oishei Foundation contributions were
made on an anonymous basis which John R. Oishei believed allowed him to
make his philanthropic decisions with greater objectivity; and
WHEREAS, Between 1997 and early 2007, Thomas Baker, the John R. Oishei
Foundation's first paid Executive Director, steered a transformation
which led to this vital organization becoming a catalyst for change to
enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo
Niagara region through grant making, leadership and network building;
and
WHEREAS, Annually, the John R. Oishei Foundation's resources help to
benefit educational programs, healthcare, capital projects, neighborhood
stabilization, nonprofit executive development, arts and culture; and
WHEREAS, The John R. Oishei Foundation has supported the largest
health and education projects in Western New York, including Roswell
Park Cancer Institute, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute and
the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical
Sciences; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, the John R. Oishei Foundation continued to honor the
legacy of John R. Oishei by announcing a historic grant to fund the new
John R. Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, The John R. Oishei Foundation is now the largest private
foundation based in Western New York, the third largest in the Upstate
region and 42nd largest statewide; and
WHEREAS, In addition to grant making, the John R. Oishei Foundation
continues to innovate by helping local nonprofits with capacity build-
ing, analysis, strategic and business planning and leadership training,
convening community members, fostering collaborations and promoting
network building; and
WHEREAS, The John R. Oishei Foundation's current Chief Executive Offi-
cer, Robert Gioia, who took over as CEO in 2007, has played a signif-
icant leadership role in Western New York as Chairman of the Boards at
the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo and the Martin House Resto-
ration Corp. as well as Chairman of Great Lakes Health and the Erie
Canal Harbor Development Corporation; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the John R. Oishei Foundation; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Gioia, CEO, the John R. Oishei Foundation.