Bill Text: NY J01196 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Joe and Deb Riitano upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Pillars of the Community Award

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-30 - ADOPTED [J01196 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01196-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1196

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        HONORING  Joe and Deb Riitano upon the occasion of
        their designation as recipients of  the  Pillars  of
        the  Community  Award  by  the  Sidney Albert Albany
        Jewish Community Center

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative  Body  to  acknowledge
outstanding  individuals  whose  professional lives, personal endeavors,
and  community  service  are  an  example  and  inspiration   to   their
colleagues, friends, family, and community; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joe and Deb Riitano upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of the Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish
Community Center  to  be  celebrated  on  Sunday,  April  28,  2019,  at
Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Each  year,  this  prestigious  awards ceremony recognizes
individuals for  their  contributions  to  the  Center  and  the  Jewish
community-at-large  by  acting as moral pillars and dispensers of wisdom
and advice, providing  continued  service  and  leadership,  and  acting
generously in the spirit of Tzedakah; and

  WHEREAS,  Widely  known for their extraordinary dedication to Israel
and the  local  community,  Joe  and  Deb  Riitano's  philanthropic  and
leadership  endeavors  continue  to  inspire  all of those who are lucky
enough to know them; and

  WHEREAS, Joe Riitano was born in Calabria, Italy, and  emigrated  to
the United States, settling in Schenectady, New York, in 1967; and

  WHEREAS,  During  this time, although he had already been to college
in his native country, Joe Riitano signed  himself  into  Mont  Pleasant
High School to learn English; he went on to graduate with an associate's
degree from Hudson Valley Community College; and

  WHEREAS,  As an entrepreneur, Joe Riitano opened his first business,
a gas station, and was the sole mechanic; he opened a second station  in
1974,  during which time he met Deb through a mutual friend; he was also
the sole proprietor of Riitano Auto Parts until 1986; and

  WHEREAS, A graduate of The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor  of
Science  degree  in Business Education and a Master of Science degree in
Educational Psychology, Deb  Riitano  worked  for  a  short  time  as  a
Business teacher at Draper High School; and

  WHEREAS,  Joe and Deb Riitano have been active members of the Albany
Jewish Community Center for many years with their children attending its
nursery school; furthermore, Deb was always a  serious  student  of  the
Holocaust, and Judaism became an intellectual pursuit; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  her
community, Deb Riitano is the former Human Services Director of the Town

of Rotterdam, Coordinator of the Albany NNORC initiative lead by  Jewish
Family  Services,  and Executive Director of The Capital Area Council of
Churches; she is currently serving as  the  Commissioner  of  Aging  for
Albany County; and

  WHEREAS, Deb Riitano continues to be active in interfaith activities
and  is  the  Chair of the Sidney and Beatrice Albert Interfaith Lecture
Series at The College of Saint Rose; and

  WHEREAS, Today, Deb and Joe Riitano operate Joe's Mobil and New Mont
Pleasant Bakery, a kosher and Pas Yisroel bakery  in  Schenectady;  they
continue to advocate for many political and social justice issues; and

  WHEREAS,  Truly committed to their Roman Catholic faith, Joe and Deb
Riitano  are  members  of   St.   Matthew's   Roman   Catholic   Church,
Voorheesville, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Schenectady; and

  WHEREAS,  The proud recipients of numerous awards and accolades, Deb
has been honored  by  both  the  Jewish  and  Muslim  communities,  most
recently with the Woman of Achievement Award at the Muslim Women's Gala;
Joe received the first Vaad Ha'Kashruth Award; and

  WHEREAS,  With  them throughout have been their six children, Jenny,
Kate, Gina, Amanda, Joe Jr. and Josh, three sons-in-law, Peter,  Brendan
and  Michael,  as  well  as four grandchildren, Wills, Lulu, Natalie and
Sebastian, who have all shown them love and support and rejoice in their
many achievements; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication   shown   by
individuals  for  the  benefit  of others which Joe and Deb Riitano have
displayed throughout their lives; and

  WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this  Legislative  Body
to  honor  and  support  those  individuals  who  have  displayed  their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the  intent
of  this  Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Joe and Deb Riitano, that future generations  may  know  and  appreciate
their  admirable  character,  their  many  benevolent  deeds,  and their
respect and  esteem  in  which  they  are  held  by  their  peers;  now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joe and Deb Riitano upon the  occasion  of  their  designation  as
recipients  of  the  Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert
Albany Jewish Community Center; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Joe and Deb Riitano.