Bill Text: NY J02588 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Robert Jerry Lanier Jr., celebrated NBA All-Star, MVP, and beloved coach

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-17 - ADOPTED [J02588 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02588-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2588

BY: Senator PARKER

        MOURNING  the  death  of  Robert Jerry Lanier Jr.,
        celebrated NBA All-Star, MVP, and beloved coach

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor  and  pay
just tribute to the memory of those prominent individuals whose esteemed
careers  in  athletics and contributions to the sport of basketball have
evolved the nature of the game, and fostered  cultural  enrichment,  not
just within their communities but the entire State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  deep  sympathy  and  great sadness that this
Legislative Body  records  the  passing  of  Robert  Jerry  Lanier  Jr.,
otherwise  known  as  Bob  Lanier,  who died at the age of 73 on May 10,
2022, recognizing his long and highly  accomplished  career  within  the
sport of basketball and his contributions to the NBA; and

  WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, on September 10, 1948, to Robert
Sr.   and Nannette Lanier, Robert J. Lanier Jr.'s passion for basketball
was present from a young age; and

  WHEREAS, On account of his tall stature Robert  J.  Lanier  Jr.  was
rejected  from  both  his  grammar  school and high school teams, before
being encouraged to try out once more in his  junior  year,  a  decision
that would launch his highly esteemed basketball career; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert J. Lanier Jr. went on to win multiple championships
and lead his high school basketball team  to  Buffalo  city  titles  two
years in a row, before being recruited by more than one hundred colleges
and universities; and

  WHEREAS,  After  deciding  on  St. Bonaventure University, Robert J.
Lanier Jr. spent four years playing on the university's team, becoming a
three-time Converse All-American and playing in the NCAA Final Four; and

  WHEREAS, Robert J. Lanier Jr. was the first  overall  pick  for  the
Detroit  Pistons  in  the 1970 NBA Draft; after a grueling and demanding
training camp exacerbated by a bad knee  injury,  he  still  managed  to
mount  a  successful  start  to his tenure with the Pistons and became a
star player; and

  WHEREAS, This was cemented during the All-Star game on  January  15,
1974,  where  Robert  J. Lanier Jr. led with 24 points and was named the
All-Star Games Most Valuable Player; and

  WHEREAS, In 1980, Robert J. Lanier Jr. was traded to  the  Milwaukee
Bucks  and  during  his five-season tenure, they advanced to the Eastern
Conference Finals twice, before he officially retired on  September  24,
1984; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  J. Lanier Jr.'s connection with basketball did not
stop there, as he later took on the role  of  Assistant  Coach  for  the
Golden State Warriors from 1994-95; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  J.  Lanier  Jr. became a household name within the
sport of basketball and his years of dedication to the game has not only
been an inspiration to his fans, but  to  his  teammates  with  whom  he
shared years of tough losses and great victories; and

  WHEREAS,   In   this  regard,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  this
Legislative Body to draw recognition to his  great  accomplishments  and
distinguished life; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative Body pause in its deliberation to
mourn the death of Robert Jerry Lanier  Jr.,  celebrated  NBA  All-Star,
MVP, and beloved coach; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Robert Jerry Lanier Jr.