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".
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