Bill Text: NY J01447 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1447

Introduced

Bill Title: Congratulating Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar of Springs, New York, upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday on October 7, 2023

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-12-29 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J01447 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01447-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1447

BY: Senator PALUMBO

        CONGRATULATING  Manuel  Joaquim  DaSilva  Vilar of
        Springs, New York, upon the occasion of  celebrating
        his 100th Birthday on October 7, 2023

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens  of  this  great
Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play  in  today's  society;  their
past  contributions  and  future  participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
congratulate Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar upon the occasion of his 100th
Birthday, which was celebrated at the American Legion Post 419  in  East
Hampton, New York, on Saturday, October 7, 2023; and

  WHEREAS,  On  October  10, 1923, in Murtosa, a small seaside farming
and fishing town in northern Portugal, Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar  was
born  in  his  maternal  family's  home which they owned for hundreds of
years; the family first migrated from France in the 1100s,  settling  in
Murtosa in the early 1400s; and

  WHEREAS,  The  DeVillars  are descendants of Hugh Capet, King of the
Franks, the first king from the  House  of  Capet;  Robert  I,  Duke  of
Burgundy; and King Denis I of Portugal; and

  WHEREAS, During World War II, the Portuguese military drafted Manuel
Vilar,  commissioning  him  to  serve  in Portuguese colonies throughout
Africa and Asia; and

  WHEREAS, After the  war,  Manuel  Vilar  immigrated  to  the  United
States,  joining his father and uncles in the construction trades in New
York City; subsequently, he was hired by a construction  firm  that  was
associated with the Rockefeller family's Standard Oil Company, traveling
throughout Canada and Venezuela; and

  WHEREAS,  Several  years  later, Manuel Vilar returned to New York's
metropolitan area, joining the United Cement Masons and Plasterers Union
Local 780; and

  WHEREAS, In 1956, Manuel Vilar met Amelia Eninger  Branco,  marrying
her  on June 9, 1957; the couple were blessed with a son, Manuel Marques
Vilar, in 1960; and

  WHEREAS, The Vilar family  purchased  property,  constructing  their
home,  in  Springs,  New  York,  in  1965;  this  hamlet of East Hampton
reminded Manuel Vilar of his childhood home in Murtosa and was where  he
felt comfortable; and

  WHEREAS,  As  the  foreman of the cement masons for 30 years, Manuel
Vilar supervised hundreds of masons on multiple projects throughout  the
New York metropolitan area; and

  WHEREAS,  These ventures included New York City World's Fair; Throgs
Neck Bridge, Whitestone Bridge, and Verrazano Bridge; the TWA,  Pan  Am,
and  United  Airlines terminals, as well as miles of runways, at John F.
Kennedy International Airport; runways at LaGuardia  Airport;  highways,
including  Van  Wyck and Long Island Expressways; and numerous buildings
throughout Long Island, New York, including the Hunting Quadrangles; and

  WHEREAS, After retirement in 1986, at the age of  63,  Manuel  Vilar
continued  to  construct  multiple  homes  with his wife, Amelia, in the
Hudson, Florida, area; after September 11, 2001, the couple returned  to
reside  full-time  in  the  home  they  built  in  Springs;  as  fervent
gardeners, they tended to an extensive garden with 38 varieties of fruit
trees; and

  WHEREAS, An ardent fisherman, Manuel Vilar owned and enjoyed a  boat
for  40  years;  his passion for fishing earned him the nickname of Fish
Commander; and

  WHEREAS, Manuel Vilar was predeceased by his beloved  wife  in  2019
after 62 years of marriage; and

  WHEREAS,  With  his  zest  for  life,  Manuel Vilar has inspired and
enriched the lives of his family and friends through the profound  charm
and  wisdom  which  come only from a fullness of years; this exceptional
centenarian  has   experienced   the   incredible   joys   and   sorrows
characteristic  of, and reserved for, those with the stamina and courage
to savor a full life; and

  WHEREAS, More than 150 attendees personally extended their  birthday
wishes  to  Manuel  Vilar;  he was lovingly surrounded by grandchildren,
Matthew (Lauren), Brendan (Ciara), Catherine, Manuel, James, and Thomas;
great-grandchildren, Brea, Carter, and Beau; cousins; and close  friends
from the Springs community; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  intent  of  this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a  remarkable  age  and  who  have
witnessed  and  celebrated  the  innovations, cultural developments, and
awesome achievements of this country  during  the  last  century,  while
themselves  contributing  to  the  growth  and  excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate   Manuel   Joaquim  DaSilva  Vilar  upon  the  occasion  of
celebrating his 100th Birthday on October 7, 2023; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar.