LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Lee Mazzilli upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2016 Italian American of the Year by the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout 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 commend
Lee Mazzilli upon the occasion of his designation as the 2016 Italian
American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian American
State Legislators to be celebrated on Monday, June 6, 2016, in Albany,
New York; and
WHEREAS, A native of Brooklyn, New York, Lee Mazzilli is a 2015 New
York State Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, and proud Italian-American
who was the youngest child of June and Libero Mazzilli, the son of immi-
grants from Bari, Italy; and
WHEREAS, A natural, lifelong athlete, Lee Mazzilli was a championship
speed skater during his high school years, and when it came time to
choose between skating and baseball, he chose baseball; he was naturally
ambidextrous, and made a name for himself being able to swing the bat
from both sides of the plate at an early age; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Lincoln High School in 1973, Lee Mazzil-
li was a first round draft pick for the New York Mets; after a success-
ful minor league career in the California League, he embarked on a
14-year Major League career, spending 10 of those years with his home-
town New York Mets; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Lee Mazzilli led the New York Mets with 181 hits and
79 runs batted in, and was named to the 1979 National League All Star
Team; he was also a crucial part of the New York Mets 1986 Championship
team, batting .400 during the World Series; and
WHEREAS, In total, Lee Mazzilli collected over 1,000 hits and belted
93 career home runs during his time with the New York Mets, Pittsburgh
Pirates, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays; and
WHEREAS, Following his retirement as a professional baseball player,
Lee Mazzilli served as the first base coach for the New York Yankees
from 2000 to 2003, earning a World Series Championship with the team in
2000; he also managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2004 to 2005; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Lee Mazzilli married Danielle Folquet at Saint
Patrick's Cathedral in New York City; with him throughout have been his
wife and their three children, Lacey, Jenna, and Lee Jr. (known as
L.J.), all of whom feel privileged to be part of his life and rejoice in
his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Lee Mazzilli has truly distinguished himself through his
wonderful career and service to others, and, consequently, the Italian-
American community and all of New York State have profited greatly from
his talent and dedication; 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
commend Lee Mazzilli upon the occasion of his designation as the 2016
Italian American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian Amer-
ican State Legislators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lee Mazzilli.