Senate Resolution No. 1645
BY: Senator JORDAN
HONORING Raymond F. O'Conor upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Gold Remi Award
at the WorldFest-Houston 52nd Annual International
Independent Film Festival
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those individuals whose commitment and creative talents have
contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the citizens
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
Raymond F. O'Conor upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Gold Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston 52nd Annual International
Independent Film Festival which was held April 5-14, 2019, at the
Cinemark Theatres Memorial City in Houston, Texas; and
WHEREAS, The WorldFest-Houston Film Festival is one of the world's
oldest and largest film and script competitions; during this year's
event, more than 4,400 category entries were competing from 74
countries; and
WHEREAS, Raymond F. O'Conor won the prestigious romance
screenwriting award for a screenplay based on his book, She Called HimRaymond: A True Story of Love, Loss, Faith and Healing; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Wilton, New York, Raymond F. O'Conor retired
from his positions as bank president and chief executive officer to
focus on writing after learning about the remarkable story of his mother
and her late first husband, Raymond Stephenson, several years ago; and
WHEREAS, The book is the true story of author Raymond F. O'Conor's
mother, Helen Gregg, the daughter of Irish immigrant parents raised in
the miseries of New York's Hell's Kitchen during the Great Depression,
and her husband, Raymond Stephenson, an aspiring World War II B-17 pilot
from the struggling city of Ironton, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, They share a brief yet extraordinary life together, until
the war tears them apart and he is killed in a flying accident; and
WHEREAS, The screenplay's title, Foreverly, was inspired by Jeff
Brisbin, a composer, lyricist and performer who wrote a ballad bearing
the same title; and
WHEREAS, Today, Raymond F. O'Conor holds the title of Chairman of
Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when artistic
creators of such remarkable talent and accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be celebrated and 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 Raymond F. O'Conor upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Gold Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston 52nd Annual
International Independent Film Festival; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Raymond F. O'Conor.
