Senate Resolution No. 802 BY: Senator STEC HONORING Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Liberty Bell Award presented by the Franklin County Bar Association WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of 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 Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Liberty Bell Award to be presented by the Franklin County Bar Association at the Law Day celebration on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Malone Golf Club in Malone, New York; and WHEREAS, The American Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award is the most prestigious award given by lawyers to a non-lawyer; the Award honors a person who has strengthened the American system of freedom and justice under law through their extraordinary contributions in the community; Donald Bilow is such an individual; and WHEREAS, Donald Bilow was born in Malone and raised in Chateaugay, New York on the family farm, where he started farming around age 10; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Donald Bilow married his wife Barbara; together, they raised two children: Joe Bilow Jr. and Lynda Huba, and ran both a dairy and potato farm; and WHEREAS, Donald Bilow drove a school bus for 15 years and worked on his farms for 50 years, until he retired in 2003; and WHEREAS, Through his tireless efforts, Donald Bilow has helped his community through his many civic roles and memberships; he has been a member of: the Knights of Columbus since age 18, the Chateaugay Rotary for over 25 years, the Chateaugay Revitalization Committee, the Chateaugay Food Pantry for 15 years, and the Chateaugay Town Board since 1996; and WHEREAS, Donald Bilow served on the Board of Cooperative Extension for 12 years, six of them as president, is a Paul Harris Fellow, the St. Patrick's Church Dinner organizer and chair and has been Supervisor of the Town since 1998; and WHEREAS, Under Donald Bilow's guidance, the Town Hall was completely rehabilitated, the historic Town Theatre was restored into a true showplace, major upgrades to the Town Recreation Park, including the pools, pavilion, bathhouse, and a sewer connection were successfully completed, and he led the effort to relocate and renovate the Town Library, ensuring it found a lasting home on John Street; and WHEREAS, It is the belief of this Legislative Body that individuals like Donald Bilow, whose dedication and compassion uplift the community and foster global understanding, deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged for their remarkable contributions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Donald Bilow upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award by the Franklin County Bar Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Donald Bilow.