LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rusty Staub upon the occasion of his designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ- izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend Rusty Staub upon the occasion of his designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009; and WHEREAS, A native of New Orleans, Rusty Staub is a 23-year major leag- ue veteran and a six-time Major League All-Star; over the course of his career, he played in 2,951 games, had 9,720 at-bats, 1,189 runs, 2,716 hits, 499 doubles, 292 home runs, 1,466 RBIs, 100 pinch hits and a .279 career batting average; and WHEREAS, In addition, Rusty Staub had four 20- seasons and three 100-RBI seasons and his 105 RBIs in 1975 established a club record that stood for 15 years; and WHEREAS, The only player in history to record at least 500 hits with four different teams, Rusty Staub is 12th on the all-time list for games played and was the second player to a home run before his 20th birthday and after his 40th, joining Hall of Famer ; and WHEREAS, One of the most popular players in the history of the New York Mets, Rusty Staub is in his 10th year as Club Ambassador, repres- enting the team at civic and charitable events throughout the tri-state area; and WHEREAS, Well known for his philanthropic work, Rusty Staub estab- lished the New York Police and Fire Widow's and Children's Benefit Fund Foundation, where he is currently serving as Chairman of the Board, and was instrumental in the New York Mets efforts following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; he is also president of The Rusty Staub Foundation, which raises money to assist charities benefiting children, the elderly and the poor; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ- uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten- tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to express its highest admiration for Rusty Staub and to wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Rusty Staub upon the occasion of his designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran- smitted to Rusty Staub.