Senate Resolution No. 3256

BY: Senator BONACIC

HONORING Rick Violette upon the occasion of
stepping down after nine years of distinguished
service as President of the New York Thoroughbred
Horsemen's Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Rick Violette upon the occasion of stepping down after nine years of
distinguished service as President of the New York Thoroughbred
Horsemen's Association; and

WHEREAS, For more than two decades, Rick Violette has served on the
Board of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), an
organization which represents the interests of thoroughbred owners and
trainers at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks; and

WHEREAS, Installed as President in 2008, Rick Violette implemented a
serious budget process and, as a result, the organization is now able to
put substantial funds into benevolence work, including support of the
Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) backstretch health care
program, scholarships for children of backstretch workers and
thoroughbred retirement and retraining; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Rick Violette, the BEST
program has grown into a more comprehensive medical care effort for
backstretch workers; the program now runs free walk-in clinics at
Belmont and Saratoga, helps pay workers' health insurance premiums, and
offers specialist and hospital care for those without insurance; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Rick Violette
established such initiatives as the Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, a
separate worker's compensation pool that covers exercise riders and
jockeys on New York tracks; and

WHEREAS, Rick Violette has also been a steadfast and effective
supporter of the raceday use of Lasix, which reduces fluid levels in
horses, reduces weight and lowers blood pressure; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving as President of NYTHA, Rick Violette
has been President of the national THA, a group of horsemen's
associations mainly in the mid-Atlantic, where he has been instrumental
in promoting better and more uniform drug regulation; and

WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, Rick Violette rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the New York Thoroughbred
Horsemen's Association; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as President, Rick Violette served with
loyalty, honor and distinction, earning the admiration, esteem and
affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rick Violette upon the occasion of stepping down after nine years
of distinguished service as President of the New York Thoroughbred
Horsemen's Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rick Violette.