J 1044: Honoring Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades of distinguished public service on the East End of Long Island

 Senate Resolution No. 1044 BY: Senator PALUMBO HONORING Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades of distinguished public service on the East End of Long Island WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades of distinguished public service on the East End of Long Island; he will retire on Wednesday, May 21, 2025; and WHEREAS, Throughout the duration of his service, Robert I. Ross rendered faithful, conscientious, and valuable service to the communities of Suffolk County, New York; and WHEREAS, In his capacity as vice president of Community and Government Relations at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, the auspicious role from which he will retire, Robert I. Ross served with loyalty, honor, and distinction; and WHEREAS, Prior to his role at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in 2008, Robert I. Ross served for six years as the Southampton Town Deputy Supervisor--a role in which he successfully worked to save the 106th Rescue Wing from the Federal BRAC Commission; and WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross previously served as a member of the "Friends" 100 Rescue Wing Board of Advisors and, in January of 2008, was appointed to the Board of Directors; in June of 2008, he was elected vice chairman of the "Friends," a position he held for several years; and WHEREAS, Born and educated in New York City, Robert I. Ross later moved to Hampton Bays, New York, where he led a fulfilling life of service in many professional and volunteer capacities; and WHEREAS, Ever active in his community and professional life, Robert I. Ross held numerous executive management positions in the private sector; he is also an honorary member of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corp, a member of the Audit Committee of the Hampton Bays Beautification Association, President of the Squire Woods Homeowners Association, a former Director of AFTEE (All for the East End), a former member of the Southampton Rotary Club, a former member of the Charity-In-Action Board of the Dominican Sisters, a former director of the Southampton Business Alliance, a former director of the Hampton Bays Civic Association, and a former director of the Peconic Institute; and WHEREAS, Further, Robert I. Ross also served as a member of Southampton Town's SEA-TV committee, the town's Education and Government channel, and as a member of the Southampton Town Board of Assessment Review; and WHEREAS, In February of 2009, Robert I. Ross was appointed by the Southampton Town Board to the position of chair and commissioner of the newly established Public Safety Commission and served with diligence and grace until the close of 2023; he also serves as the treasurer of the Town of Southampton Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross is a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) and led a successful 15-year-long lobbying effort for New York State to establish a 9-11-01 commemorative license plate; the Department of Motor Vehicles began manufacturing the license plates in April of 2019; and WHEREAS, In 2024, Robert I. Ross nominated the New York State Montauk Lighthouse Regional License Plate for the Plate of the Year Award, which successfully won that designation; and WHEREAS, In his official acts, Robert I. Ross was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and WHEREAS, During his tenure with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and his public service endeavors, Robert I. Ross earned the admiration, esteem, and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, Robert I. Ross resides in Hampton Bays where he will enjoy his well-deserved retirement with his husband Lawrence Roth; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Robert I. Ross upon the occasion of his retirement after decades of distinguished service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Robert I. Ross.