Honor Brian DiGiovanna's Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 225 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO HONORING Brian DiGiovanna upon the occasion of his retirement after eight years of distinguished service as President of the Association of Supreme Court Reporters WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed residents of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Brian DiGiovanna upon the occasion of his retirement after eight years of distinguished service as President of the Association of Court Reporters, to be celebrated with a Party in his honor on Friday, January

20, 2017, at Battery Gardens Restaurant, New York, New York; and WHEREAS, Born on January 26, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, Brian DiGiovanna grew up in Queens and summered in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey; and WHEREAS, Brian DiGiovanna began his illustrious career as a freelance reporter in 1979; in the early 1980s, he joined the New York Supreme Court as an official court reporter, a position he continues to hold today; and WHEREAS, As President for the Association of Supreme Court Reporters (ASSCR) in New York City, Brian DiGiovanna represents 340 Supreme Court reporters; and WHEREAS, For the past eight years, Brian DiGiovanna rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Association of Supreme Court Reporters; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his profession, Brian DiGiovanna regularly travels to Albany to meet with legislators to discuss issues that affect court reporters; he helped launch paperless writer, and has created 10 high tech courtrooms in New York State; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, President Brian DiGiovanna promoted the use of real-time by introducing real-time seminars and traveling to courthouses to educate association members on how to configure their equipment in furtherance of real-time compliance; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Brian DiGiovanna, ASSCR has sought to improve its members' wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security; he also worked with Court Administrators to create solutions to the court system's problems; and WHEREAS, This esteemed man has made more than 200 presentations to judges and dignitaries from around the world on court room technology; furthermore, he completed the first real-time case in the State New York, as well as the first and only real-time criminal case; and WHEREAS, Brian DiGiovanna was invited to Tortola to meet with the Governor and the Chief Judge of the British Virgin Islands to discuss court reporting and the integration of court room technology; in addition, he was offered a position to return for two weeks every month for one year to help develop their program; and WHEREAS, In his capacity as President, Brian DiGiovanna served with loyalty, honor and distinction, earning him the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 35 years, Martha, and their three children, Alessandro, Frances and Emily, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Brian DiGiovanna over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Brian DiGiovanna upon the occasion of his retirement after eight years of distinguished service as President of the Association of Supreme Court Reporters; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Brian DiGiovanna.