 
Assembly Resolution No. 161
 
BY: M. of A. McMahon
 
        COMMEMORATING  the  10th Anniversary of Bunkers in
        Baghdad
 
  WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing  and
honoring  those  individuals  and  organizations selflessly dedicated to
protecting and improving the  health  and  well-being  of  our  nation's
veterans; and
 
  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body is justly proud to commemorate the
10th Anniversary of Bunkers in  Baghdad;  this  momentous  occasion  was
celebrated in October of 2018; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Bunkers  in  Baghdad was founded in 2008, by Joe Hanna, an
avid golfer who leads the sports and entertainment practice at  the  law
firm   Goldberg  Segalla;  today,  he  continues  to  manage  its  daily
operations, personally sorting,  packaging  and  shipping  donated  golf
equipment; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Since  its inception, this vital organization has provided
more than 9.7 million golf balls and 765,000 golf clubs to the brave men
and women in the armed forces; its shipments  have  reached  troops  and
veterans  throughout all 50 states and in 65 countries, including combat
zones, active military installations and VA hospitals; and
 
  WHEREAS, Additionally, Bunkers in Baghdad has helped  build  driving
ranges in Iraq and Afghanistan; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Funded  exclusively  through donations, Bunkers in Baghdad
has national  partnerships  with  Callaway  Golf,  Topgolf,  and  Dick's
Sporting  Goods,  as  well  as  some  of  Erie  County's  most prominent
businesses, including the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres,  Pegula  Sports
and Entertainment, Delaware North, Adpro Sports, Rich Products, New Era,
and North American Breweries to name a few; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Through  its Bunkers Buddies program, the organization has
inspired kids in more than 525  schools  nationwide  to  hold  equipment
drives  and  write  thousands  of  personal letters in support of United
States troops; and
 
  WHEREAS, For some, the golf balls and clubs provided by  Bunkers  in
Baghdad serve as tools to make their injury rehabilitation routines more
effective and enjoyable; for others, the donated golf equipment provides
a much needed outlet for stress relief and recreation; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The success of Bunkers in Baghdad is in direct correlation
to the efforts of Joe Hanna, whose involvement is, and always has  been,
characterized  by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on  behalf  of
the organization and the community it serves; 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 10th Anniversary  of  Bunkers  in  Baghdad;  and  be  it
further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joe Hanna, Bunkers in Baghdad.
Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Bunkers in Baghdad

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