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K00634 Summary:

BILL NOK00634
 
SAME ASNo Same As
 
SPONSORStern
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSRBrown K, DeStefano, Durso, Englebright, Fitzpatrick, Giglio JA, Jean-Pierre, McDonough, Mikulin, Otis, Smith, Thiele
 
 
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K00634 Text:

 
Assembly Resolution No. 634
 
BY: M. of A. Stern
 
        CELEBRATING  the life and legacy of Clark Gillies,
        New York Islanders legend and Hockey Hall of Famer
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  acknowledge
outstanding   individuals   who  distinguish  themselves  through  their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  that  this  Legislative  Body
recognizes  the passing of Clark Gillies, noting the significance of his
purposeful life and accomplishments both on and off the ice; and
 
  WHEREAS, Clark Gillies of  Huntington,  New  York,  passed  away  on
Friday, January 21, 2022, at the age of 67 from cancer; and
 
  WHEREAS, Before the first puck was dropped at the New York Islanders
game  against  the  Toronto  Maple  Leafs  at the UBS Arena on Saturday,
January 22, 2022, a moment of silence was held to pay tribute to No.  9;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  A native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, Clark Gillies
played three years of minor league baseball in the Astros' system  prior
to  being  selected  by  the  New York Islanders in the first round (4th
overall) of the 1974 NHL Entry Draft; and
 
  WHEREAS, Throughout his incredible career with  the  Islanders  from
1974-1986,  Clark  Gillies  played  in  872  games  (fifth  all-time  in
franchise history), scoring 304  goals  (fourth  all-time  in  franchise
history)  and  359 assists (fifth all-time in franchise history) for 663
points (fourth all-time in franchise history); he defined  the  position
"power forward"; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Clark  Gillies  also  played  in 159 playoff games for the
Islanders, scoring 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points; he was one  of
17  Islanders  players  that won four straight Stanley Cup Championships
from 1980-1983, and was a member of the group which set the  NHL  record
of 19 straight playoff series wins; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  1978,  Clark  Gillies represented the Islanders at the
1978 NHL All-Star Game and was named to the NHL First All-Star  Team  in
both 1978 and 1979; and
 
  WHEREAS, From 1986-1988, Clark Gillies played for the Buffalo Sabres
before retiring after a superlative career spanning 14 years; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  honor of his many accomplishments and contributions to
the sport of  hockey  and  his  beloved  Islanders,  Clark  Gillies  was
inducted  into  the Hockey Hall of Fame; his number 9 was retired by the
Islanders on December 7, 1996, and his banner now hangs in  the  rafters
of UBS Arena; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Clark  Gillies  was  a  gentle giant; on the ice, he was a
tremendous presence who protected his teammates; off  the  ice,  he  was
 
also  a  star  in  his  Long  Island community; he established The Clark
Gillies  Foundation,  a  non-profit  corporation  developed  to  support
children   who   are   physically,  developmentally  and/or  financially
challenged;  he  and  his  staff always worked to improve the quality of
life for these vulnerable young people, with 100% of the proceeds  going
directly to those in need; and
 
  WHEREAS, In recognition of his many benevolent deeds, The Huntington
Hospital   Pediatric   Unit  was  named  after  Clark  Gillies  and  his
Foundation,  which  raised  one  million  dollars  to  help   fund   the
construction  of  the  unit;  The  Clark Gillies Foundation also created
Brianna's Cub room within the Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit and The Clark
Gillies  Pediatric  Emergency  Room  which  is  staffed   and   equipped
specifically for children; and
 
  WHEREAS, Clark Gillies was also a long-time Board member and Honoree
of  the  Townwide  Fund  of  Huntington  and  raised funds for countless
charities across Long Island; and
 
  WHEREAS, Clark Gillies will be missed by people all across "Islander
Nation" and the State of New York for not only his athletic prowess  and
dedication to his community, but also for his passion and zeal for life,
kind  heart,  engaging  humor,  warm  smile,  and his uncanny ability to
regale his audiences with his captivating storytelling; and
 
  WHEREAS, Clark Gillies was ever present at Islanders games and was a
mentor to many young players on the team; and
 
  WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Clark Gillies was a renowned  role  model
in  the  sport  of  professional  hockey; his character and achievements
stand as a sterling  example  and  inspiration  to  all  who  aspire  to
success; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Clark  Gillies is survived by his beloved wife Pam, who is
also a native of Moose Jaw, and his three daughters; and
 
  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Clark Gillies leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting  memory  to  all  he
befriended; he will be deeply missed; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Clark Gillies, and to offer its sincerest condolences
to his family; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Clark Gillies and the New York Islanders.
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