Bill Text: NY J01617 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Ricky Byrd upon the occasion of being selected as an honoree for this year's Italian American Day on June 3, 2019

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-30 - ADOPTED [J01617 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01617-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 479

BY: M. of A. Ra

        COMMENDING  Ricky  Byrd upon the occasion of being
        selected as  an  honoree  for  this  year's  Italian
        American Day on June 3, 2019

  WHEREAS,  From  time  to  time  this  Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals  it  wishes  to  recognize  for  their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend Ricky Byrd upon the occasion of being selected as an honoree for
this  year's  Italian  American  Day to be celebrated on Monday, June 3,
2019; and

  WHEREAS, Ricky Byrd is a part of rock  'n  roll  royalty;  he  is  a
well-recognized musician who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame  as  the lead guitarist and former original member of Joan Jett and
The Blackhearts; since that time, he has also recorded  or  toured  with
Roger  Daltrey,  Ian  Hunter,  Southside  Johnny and many other talented
musicians; and

  WHEREAS, Most recently, Ricky Byrd has been combining his  love  for
music with his passion and mission to change the stigma surrounding drug
and  alcohol  use;  he  hopes  to break down the barriers and spread the
message of hope, education, awareness and  addiction  resources  to  his
audiences; and

  WHEREAS,  A  man  living  in long term recovery, Ricky Byrd uses the
healing powers of music to motivate those early  in  recovery  or  still
struggling,  along  with their family members; whether it is through his
various speaking appearances, concert events, music  outreach  sessions,
small  recovery music groups, or prevention programs, he is dedicated to
inspiring change; and

  WHEREAS, As a songwriter, who now often focuses on recovery  lyrics,
Ricky  Byrd  strives  to make people laugh, cry and think; he has played
his songs in the most intimate of  rooms  as  well  as  to  hundreds  of
thousands all over the world; and

  WHEREAS,  Ricky  Byrd  truly  believes  music  therapy  and the open
discussion which follows can lead broken souls to find a little  bit  of
happiness  and  encouragement  to  move  forward;  his  latest CD, Clean
Getaway, offers messages of  hope  and  inspiration  for  those  seeking
sobriety; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  steadfast  and unremitting commitment to helping
those struggling with addictions, Ricky Byrd was the  recipient  of  the
2017 Drug Free Heroes Award by Foundation For a Drug free World; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are  brought  to  our

attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ricky Byrd upon the occasion of being selected as an honoree for
this year's Italian American Day on June 3, 2019; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Ricky Byrd.