LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Downey upon
the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary

WHEREAS, Ralph A. Downey and Dawn Sanger  were  united  in  marriage  on
November  26,  1960,  at the Plattsburgh Church of the Nazarene, Platts-
burgh, New York; and
  WHEREAS, They are the proud parents  of  Shelby  and  Kevin  Trombley,
Sheila  and Robert Baker, Sherri Gonyea and Mike Schnare, Peter and Tina
Downey, and Travis and Michelle Downey and have 12 grandchildren, Chris-
topher, Matthew, Jenny, Danielle,  Chad,  Jeremy,  James,  Scott,  Ryan,
Kristy,  Tianna and Ashleigh, and six great-grandchildren, Elaina, Kian,
Dominic, Makayla, Savannah and Abigail; and
  WHEREAS, On November 26, 2010, Ralph and Dawn  Downey  joyously  cele-
brated  their 50th Wedding Anniversary surrounded by family and friends,
including Ralph's 93 year old mother, at a surprise outdoor party hosted
by their children at the home of their daughter Sherri and  her  husband
Mike; and
  WHEREAS,  Ralph  Downey was employed at Bouyea Bakery and retired from
Brush Tech, Inc.; Dawn Downey worked at Gus' Red Hots and  retired  from
Arnie's Restaurant after 30 years of dedicated service; and
  WHEREAS,  Since  retiring,  Ralph  and Dawn Downey happily spend their
summers in Plattsburgh and their winters  in  Lakeland,  Florida,  where
they volunteer at the Family Worship Center; and
  WHEREAS,  Ralph  and  Dawn  Downey are and always have been a tower of
strength, support, understanding and limitless love  for  their  family;
and
  WHEREAS,  Their love, devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness
to their family, friends and all who know them are  their  hallmark  and
tradition; and
  WHEREAS,  Ralph  and Dawn Downey have lived and continue to live their
lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a  deep
and  continuing  concern  for  human values and ideals, and in so doing,
they have inspired others to do the same; and
  WHEREAS, This meaningful occasion is the result of the love, hard work
and spirit that this couple has invested in their marriage; and
  WHEREAS, These same values they  have  passed  to  their  loved  ones,
producing  a  family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community  and  committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and
  WHEREAS,  Ralph and Dawn Downey have touched the lives of their family
and many friends through the shining example of their marriage, which is
a testament to the devotion and admiration which they  possess  for  one
another; and
  WHEREAS,  The  longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a mile-
stone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when  an  occa-
sion  of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should be
memorialized by us for the edification and  emulation  of  others;  now,
therefore, be it
  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Downey upon  the  occasion  of  their
50th Wedding Anniversary; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Downey.