Bill Text: NY J00390 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Congratulating legendary news anchor Roderic Woodruff Groat upon the occasion of his retirement after 44 years of dedicated service to WSYR-TV News 9
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-23 - ADOPTED [J00390 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-J00390-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 390 BY: Senator MANNION HONORING Roderic Woodruff Groat, "Rod Wood" upon his retirement from the anchor desk of WSYR-TV Syracuse (News Channel 9) after 44 years of service WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor the distinguished careers of those esteemed individuals within our midst whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence and who bring great pride to the citizens of our Empire State; and WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the Central New York community has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedication and benevolent concern of Roderic Woodruff Groat "Rod Wood"; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to hereby honor and recognize Roderic Woodruff Groat "Rod Wood" on the occasion of his retirement after 44 years as news anchor for News Channel 9 WSYR and 57 years in broadcasting on November 18, 2020; and WHEREAS, Roderic Groat "Rod Wood" is recognized as the "Dean of Central New York Broadcasters"; and WHEREAS, Roderic Groat "Rod Wood" is a Syracuse, New York native having grown up in the Syracuse University neighborhood; his parents met and worked at the old Syracuse Journal newspaper; and WHEREAS, He attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse and Onondaga Community College; and WHEREAS, From 1960 to 1963, he proudly served in the United States Army as a member of the Military Police, and served in France during the Berlin Wall Crisis in 1961, and Miami, Florida during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis; and WHEREAS, Roderic Groat "Rod Wood" and his wife Nanette "Nan" raised their family (5 children and 10 grandchildren) in the Valley neighborhood of Syracuse until her passing in May 2020, after 52 years of marriage; and WHEREAS, He launched his broadcasting career at WOLF Radio after his military service, Roderic Woodruff Groat wanted to become a radio disk jockey, but radio managers heard his voice and decided he wasn't, "Rock and Roll" material, however, they suggested he try news instead; and WHEREAS, This led Roderic Woodruff Groat to later work at WNDR Radio, then WHEN Radio and TV and television as a radio news director and TV weekend anchor; and WHEREAS, Roderic Woodruff Groat came to what was then WNYS TV in 1976 as news anchor and introduced viewers to the station's new call letters twice, first to WIXT, then to WSYR; and WHEREAS, He teamed on the evening news with Carrie Lazarus for 31 years, making them one of the nation's longest-running anchor teams ever; and WHEREAS, Roderic and Carrie were inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011; they were just the third and fourth broadcasters from Syracuse so honored; and WHEREAS, Roderic Woodruff Groat "Rod Wood" has been honored by the Associated Press and countless other local and statewide organizations for his news coverage, community outreach and consumer education through his reporting; and WHEREAS, He served as President of the Syracuse Press Club in 1976 and was installed as an honoree on their "Wall of Distinction" in 2001; and WHEREAS, Roderic Woodruff Groat "Rod Wood" is a longtime friend with nationally known broadcasters, such as Al Roker, Steve Kroft, Bob Costas, David Muir and Mike Tirico; and WHEREAS, He has served as a mentor to hundreds of young journalists and broadcasters who have gone on to work around the world, many of whom stay in close contact after they leave Syracuse. WHEREAS, Roderic Groat "Rod Wood" has received other retirement honors, including: a citation on the floor of the House of Representatives, an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College and the News Channel 9 newsroom named in his honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Roderic Woodruff Groat, "Rod Wood" upon the occasion of his retirement from the anchor desk of WSYR-TV Syracuse (News Channel 9) after 44 years of service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Roderic Woodruff Groat, "Rod Wood".