Honor Robert G. Sillars

Senate Resolution No. 273 BY: Senator RANZENHOFER HONORING Robert G. Sillars upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achiever of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce on March 7, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those distinguished citizens who would devote their life's work and purpose to community service, contributing to the welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great 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 Robert G. Sillars upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achiever of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at its 47th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday,

March 7, 2019, at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence, New York; and WHEREAS, Robert G. Sillars is receiving this prestigious award for his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his beloved community of Clarence; and WHEREAS, Robert G. Sillars grew up in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he graduated from high school in 1967; he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Macalester College, and then obtained his Juris Doctor from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law where he served on the Editorial Board of the International Law Journal; and WHEREAS, After returning to his hometown, Robert G. Sillars began his long and distinguished law career with a local firm; in 1982, he founded his own firm; 34 years later, he merged with the Stamm Law Firm in order to better serve his clients; and WHEREAS, In 1999, Robert G. Sillars was appointed Clarence Town Justice, and later that year, he was elected to the first of five full terms; shortly after taking office, Judge Sillars started the first Clarence drug court, and has continued to monitor defendants who are engaged in drug and alcohol rehabilitation; he was chosen by the state Administrative Judge to serve as a mentor to newly elected judges as they adjust to judicial office; and WHEREAS, Robert G. Sillars has been a guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, and a frequent faculty member and author for continuing legal education seminars sponsored by the National Business Institute for Attorneys; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Robert G. Sillars has been actively involved with the Clarence Rotary Club since 1976; he is especially proud of his role as a mentor with the Club's middle school program; and WHEREAS, In 1977, Robert G. Sillars was appointed to the Clarence Teen Center Board, and was later elected as its President; in this capacity, he oversaw a leadership transition when the original program director retired; and WHEREAS, Robert G. Sillars was also a participant with the Clarence Jaycees; during his term as President, the Jaycees planned and executed the very first Clarence Day in the Park, a tradition which has continued for over three decades; and WHEREAS, For nearly 20 years, Robert G. Sillars served on the Board of the Claremount, including several years as President; operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Claremount provides safe, low cost senior housing in Clarence; and WHEREAS, This remarkable man also served several terms on the Board of the Clarence Chamber of Commerce; under his luminous leadership, the Chamber embarked on a program to increase awareness of the Town's importance to Erie County and all of Western New York; and WHEREAS, In the 1990s, Robert G. Sillars held the position of Chair of the successful fundraising program for the acquisition of the Clarence Historical Museum, which was at the time, the largest secular fundraising program in Clarence's history; and WHEREAS, Currently, Robert G. Sillars is a faithful member and Elder of the Clarence Presbyterian Church, and has been involved with the Presbytery of Western New York, having served and chaired many committees and commissions; in 2016, he began a term as Moderator of the Presbytery of Western New York, and two years later, he was selected as Commissioner to the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Tucky, their two sons, and one grandson, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Robert G. Sillars upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achiever of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Robert G. Sillars.