Senate Resolution No. 754 BY: Senator STEC HONORING Gary Edwards upon the occasion of being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on September 24, 2023 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 Gary Edwards upon the occasion of being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, to be celebrated on Saturday, September 24, 2023, at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse, New York; and WHEREAS, The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is dedicated to the main goals of the National Hall of Fame: recognizing excellence in wrestling in the Upstate New York area; preserving the rich and colorful history of wrestling in Upstate New York; and lastly, inspiring future generations of New Yorkers to participate in one of the oldest and respected sports in the world; and WHEREAS, In 1961, Gary Edwards began wrestling as a junior high student at Peru Central School; since then, he has spent the majority of his life dedicated to the sport; and WHEREAS, His successful career deeming him a legendary area wrestling coach, Gary Edwards was an assistant coach to Coach Riggs, the first Peru wrestling coach to take his teams out of the section to compete, starting in 1977; during his time under Riggs, the team won 122 matches in its longest winning streak; and WHEREAS, Gary Edwards served as co-head coach to Peru Central School's wrestling team for 21 years and has lead the team to many Section VII individual championships, state finals, and NYSPHSAA Tournaments; and WHEREAS, For over 30 years, Gary Edwards has also served as the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference wrestling chairman and as Section VII chairman for the past 17 years; and WHEREAS, Selflessly devoting his time to youth in Peru, Gary Edwards enjoys taking pictures for the wrestlers in their matches and at state competitions; and WHEREAS, Retiring from Peru Central School District in 2002, Gary Edwards still remains actively involved in the community and substitutes for the school today; and WHEREAS, In addition to playing sports, Gary Edwards has served the young people of his community for many years as a coach of numerous Peru youth sports programs including coaching junior varsity boys soccer for four years, varsity boys soccer for 22 years, and also assisted on the boys soccer team and the boys and girls track & field teams; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Nancy Edwards, who has felt privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, Throughout his life thus far, Gary Edwards has graciously given countless hours of his time and energy to the residents of Peru as a skilled and inspirational tutor, respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence; and WHEREAS, Gary Edwards has clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Peru 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 Gary Edwards upon the occasion of being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on September 24, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Gary Edwards.