Honor George Lewis Jr.

July 28, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of personal achievement; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor George E. Lewis Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Sunday, July 28, 2019, with a Ceremony at the Hall, followed by a Banquet at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in Vernon, New York; and WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled, and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; George E. Lewis Jr. is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and WHEREAS, George E. Lewis was born to a military family on December

17, 1959, and lived in the Netherlands for several years; he played Little League baseball and helped his team win the Netherlands Championship, and make it to the European Little League World Series; and WHEREAS, In 1972, George E. Lewis Jr. and his family returned to Griffiss Air Force Base, and he played football and baseball for Rome Free Academy; however, football became his first love; during his senior year, he won the Black R, as his school's Most Valuable Player, and was named a Central Oneida League (COL) All-Star and selected for All-State; and WHEREAS, Upon graduating, George E. Lewis Jr. attended Amherst College where he was a four-year letter winner for the Minutemen and a two-time, All-Yankee Conference First Team player as a defensive end and a linebacker; in 1981, he was selected for the All-New England First Team; and WHEREAS, Unfortunately George E. Lewis Jr. suffered a career ending injury during training camp with the Washington Redskins; and WHEREAS, For the next three decades, George E. Lewis Jr. worked for the New York State Office of Family Services; during this time, he also worked for the Office of Mental Health at the Central New York Psychiatric Center; throughout his esteemed career, he truly enjoyed making a positive difference in young people's lives; and WHEREAS, George E. Lewis Jr. has clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor George E. Lewis Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 28, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to George E. Lewis Jr.