Senate Resolution No. 374
BY: Senator GALLIVAN
HONORING Ron Walkowiak upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Citizen of the Year
Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce on March
20, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those distinguished citizens who would devote their work and
purpose to community service, contributing to the welfare of the
citizens of their communities and 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
Ron Walkowiak upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Citizen of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, to be
celebrated at its 52nd Annual Awards Gala at Samuel's Grande Manor in
Williamsville, New York, on Thursday, March 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Ron Walkowiak is receiving this prestigious award for his
steadfast and unremitting commitment to his beloved community of
Clarence, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ron Walkowiak was born in Buffalo, New York; after
graduating from Kensington High School, he enrolled at the New York
State Ranger School in Wanakena; however, upon graduation, he did not
pursue a career in that field; instead, he enlisted in the United States
Army and was sent to serve in Germany; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return home, Ron Walkowiak met the City Forester
of Buffalo who asked him to join the Forestry Department, marking
diseased elm trees for removal and supervising the street tree
replacement program; and
WHEREAS, After getting married, Ron Walkowiak and his wife purchased
a home outside Buffalo which disqualified him for a promotion in the
Forestry Department; instead, the contractor who was planting the trees
for Buffalo offered him a job as Sales Manager for his new wholesale
nursery; and
WHEREAS, At that time, Ron Walkowiak was the father of four
children; his acceptance of the position of Sales Manager led to a
24-year career during which he earned the position of President of the
Western New York State Nurserymen Association and was honored as Man of
the Year; and
WHEREAS, Venturing out on his own, Ron Walkowiak founded a wholesale
nursery brokerage firm and relocated to Clarence, New York, working from
his home office for 33 years until his retirement in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Ron Walkowiak has served on the
Clarence Hollow Board and worked at the local Farmers Market; currently,
he is a member of the Arboretum Advisory Committee, Clarence
Conservation Advisory Council, and Landscape & Tree Review Committee;
through these avenues, he has met the people whom he credits with making
the Town of Clarence the wonderful place it is; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their communities and have shown
a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ron Walkowiak upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Citizen of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ron Walkowiak.
