04-R 333

2004 -- H 8666

Enacted 06/16/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JULY 14, 2004 AS "BEN MONDOR DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE

ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Kilmartin, Murphy, Menard, San Bento, and Winfield

Date Introduced: June 16, 2004

     WHEREAS, Mr. Bernard G. Mondor, known as Ben to his many friends and admirers,

has been the owner, spirit and energy behind the incredible success of the “Rhode Island” Red

Sox, now known as the PawSox, since 1977; and

     WHEREAS, Ben’s dynamic and insightful leadership took a flailing minor league

franchise from near extinction to one of the most flourishing enterprises in all of baseball. During

his twenty-eight year tenure, the PawSox have gone from drawing 70,000 fans in the 1977

season, to well over 600,000 fans in both 2001 and 2002; and

     WHEREAS, Prior to the 1999 season, the 60-year-old McCoy Stadium, home to the

PawSox, was in dire need of repairs in order to meet league standards and requirements.

Although many neighboring cities vied for the prestige and honor of having the team relocate to

their community, Ben Mondor remained loyal to his team’s Pawtucket roots and accepted a fair

share of the costs for the stadium’s extensive $18 million dollar expansion and renovation project;

and

     WHEREAS, In 2003, the PawSox welcomed their ten millionth fan to McCoy Stadium,

while under Ben’s management. With McCoy’s seats filled to nearly 90% capacity for each of the

last three years, the PawSox’s fan attendance ranks among the highest in the International

League; and

     WHEREAS, Over the years Ben Mondor has been the recipient of a plethora of

community, business and service awards. To name just a few: Ben was elected to the Red Sox

Hall of Fame in 2004; He was awarded the “Distinguished Service Star”; the “Spirit of Lou

Gehrig” Award by the ALS Rhode Island Chapter; the prestigious Hope Award in 2001 by the

Rhode Island State Council Knights of Columbus; during his tenure the PawSox have been

recognized as “Rhode Island’s Outstanding Philanthropic Business” by the Association of Fund

Raising Professionals; and he has received the Sporting News Executive of the Year, the Judge

Emil Fuchs Award and has twice been named the International League Executive of the Year;

and

     WHEREAS, The true significance of all the effort and devotion Ben Mondor has

bestowed upon the game of baseball is not truly evidenced in the myriad of awards and the

multitude of praise heaped on him, but more so, it is in the eyes and hearts of the many

generations of baseball fans, from all around Rhode Island, who have been able to savor the

magic of a warm summer evening at the ballpark, enjoying America’s favorite pastime because of

Ben Mondor’s extraordinary determination and generosity; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims July 14, 2004 to be “Ben Mondor Day” in the state of

Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby thanks Ben Mondor for the

countless hours and the many contributions he has made towards the enrichment and enjoyment

of the lives of the citizens of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Bernard G. Mondor.

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LC03649

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