Senate Resolution No. 1341 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 30, 2023 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of personal achievement; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 30, 2023; and WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled, and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and WHEREAS, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. came from a hard working middle class family in the blue collar community of Rome, New York; and WHEREAS, An incredibly focused and disciplined young man, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. became a two-time World Karate Champion; he was invited to attend the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Martial Arts Competition Trials, however, due to the attacks on September 11, 2001, the trip was cancelled; and WHEREAS, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. was also a brilliant scholar, graduating as Salutatorian of Rome Catholic High School's Class of 1997; he went on to earn a degree in Economics from Yale University in 2001, before starting his career at J. Bush Corporation in New Haven, Connecticut as an Investment Management Associate; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his 16-year career in martial arts, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. won over 400 trophies and awards while earning a fourth-degree black belt; he attained the U.S. Championship four times, the World Championship two times, and was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1995; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, during this time he studied Japanese Shotokan, Korean Tae Kwon Do, Chinese Wu-Shu-Kung, and Brazilian Capioera, among other styles; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. also gave back to various local organizations and was a wonderful role model for martial arts students, DARE program participants, and the Boys and Girl Scouts; and WHEREAS, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. tragically passed away on December 4, 2002, at the age of 23 in an automobile accident; and WHEREAS, A truly gifted athlete and an even better human being, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. should be remembered just as he lived - a true sportsman in every sense of the word; and WHEREAS, Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Peter A. Fabrizio Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Peter A. Fabrizio Jr.