LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dominick and Ross Violi upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dominick and
Ross Violi upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by a
resolution in 2014 and is awarded to individuals who have merited
special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on
behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, After nearly seven decades of operation, Violi's Restaurant
served its last meal on September 27, 2014; brothers Dominick and Ross
Violi have owned and operated the restaurant since 1961; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1945 by Dominick and Ross Violi's parents, Rosario
and Maria, Violi's Restaurant first operated on Willow Street; in 1947,
the family bought the building on Center Street where they remained
until its closing; and
WHEREAS, A true fixture within the Massena community, Violi's Restau-
rant was a popular spot through the 1950s for workers building the
Reynolds Metals Plant, local baseball and softball teams, as well as the
community-at-large; and
WHEREAS, During the late 1950s, Dominick Violi went to Italy and
returned with a recipe that inspired him to create what would become a
Violi's staple, saltimbocca a la Violi, a veal dish; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, after the brothers took over the restaurant,
they added another of their most popular dishes, steak a la Violi, as a
tribute to their mother and father; and
WHEREAS, Dominick and Ross Violi have not only been passionate busi-
nessmen, they have also been there for those who have been in need of
assistance; whether raising funds for the local Hospice, the Louisville
Fire Department, Trinity Catholic School, Massena Memorial Hospital or
the Remington Museum, these extraordinary men have never wavered in
their commitment to assist others; and
WHEREAS, Dominick and Ross Violi continue to live their lives with
great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and contin-
uing concern for human values and ideals; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Dominick and Ross Violi, devoted to
improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives
of dignity and self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dominick and Ross Violi upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dominick and Ross Violi.