Honor Ride for Roswell Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2731 BY: Senator KENNEDY COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of The Ride for Roswell on June 27, 2020 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations, and their employees and volunteers, that are devoted to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Ride for Roswell which will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Buffalo, New York; and WHEREAS, The Ride for Roswell started out as an idea from Mitch Flynn, a volunteer who wanted to create a way for the entire Western New York community to take part in the fight against cancer; the very first Ride was the beginning of a life-changing annual gathering which has become one of the largest charity cycling events in North America; and WHEREAS, Since the inaugural Ride in 1996, the event has grown from offering three routes to nine, introduced an international experience throughout Canada, and added a pre-ride rally with the Celebration of Hope; and WHEREAS, In 2019, the Ride raised a record breaking $5,671,759, all of which went directly to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, a not-for-profit organization which manages all donations to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; these funds help support the cutting-edge cancer research and full range of patient-care programs offered at Roswell Park; and WHEREAS, From researchers and physicians to patients and their families, everyone who joins in the Ride for Roswell is working together to reach a common goal: to end cancer; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1898 as the nation's first cancer research center, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center grew from the vision of its namesake, Dr. Roswell Park, who believed investigations in the lab and the clinic should go hand-in-hand; and WHEREAS, Today, Roswell Park is one of the leading cancer facilities in the country, and its research has led to historic breakthroughs in the way we understand, prevent and cure cancer; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations 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 commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Ride for Roswell on June 27,