Commending Marc Coppola upon the occasion of his designation as the 2026 Italian American of the Year by the New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators

Assembly Resolution No. 1354

BY: M. of A. Morinello

        COMMENDING  Marc  Coppola upon the occasion of his
        designation as the 2026 Italian American of the Year
        by the New York Conference of Italian American State
        Legislators

  WHEREAS, From time to time, this  Legislative  Body  takes  note  of
certain  extraordinary  individuals  it  wishes  to  recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledges their endeavors which  have  enhanced  the  basic  humanity
among us all; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend  Marc  Coppola  upon the occasion of his designation as the 2026
Italian American of the Year by  the  New  York  Conference  of  Italian
American State Legislators; and

  WHEREAS,  A  native  New  Yorker  born  in  Bayshore, New York, Marc
Coppola, also known as "The Cope," is a proud Italian American with deep
roots in New York City and Long Island; and

  WHEREAS, Marc Coppola's great grandparents are  both  from  Southern
Italy  and settled in the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, New York; one
great grandfather, Francesco Pennino, came from Naples, Italy,  and  his
other  great  grandfather,  Agostino Coppola, came from Bernalda, Italy;
and

  WHEREAS, At the age of 15, Marc Coppola first entered the  field  of
radio when he and a friend built a studio that broadcasted roughly eight
blocks  in every direction, providing both the opportunity to experiment
with operating a radio station; and

  WHEREAS, When Marc Coppola grew older, he would further his  passion
for  radio  by  working  at various outlets in Southern California, West
Virginia, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and the  Philippines  before  settling
back in New York City in 1980; and

  WHEREAS,  Currently,  Marc Coppola utilizes his skills, talents, and
passions at WAXQ, WLTW, and WKTU, which all air in New York City; and

  WHEREAS, As an established and respected professional in  the  radio
industry,  Marc Coppola often publicly lectures on preserving the future
of radio in America and around the world  to  audiences  throughout  New
York; and

  WHEREAS,  Over the years, Marc Coppola has built a successful acting
career, and he is best known for his work in  "Apocalypse  Now"  (1979),
"Leaving  Las  Vegas"  (1995),  "Bel  Air"  (2000), and "The Bling Ring"
(2013); and

  WHEREAS, With a desire to help young students  establish  their  own
performance  skills, Marc Coppola has taught acting and voice lessons to

teens at the Sanford Meisner Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City for
several years; and

  WHEREAS,  Marc  Coppola operates his own theater company that stages
productions with intentional anti-drugs and  anti-alcohol  abuse  themes
and  messages;  he  also  serves  as  a board member for the Long Island
Symphony Orchestra and is an animal rights activist; and

  WHEREAS, Outside of his professional endeavors, Marc Coppola  enjoys
sharing  moments  and memories with his beloved wife of 28 years, fellow
New Yorker and actress, singer, and writer Elizabeth Seton Brindak,  and
his two cherished daughters, Natasha and Cayley; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such noble aims 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
commend  Marc  Coppola  upon the occasion of his designation as the 2026
Italian American of the Year by  the  New  York  Conference  of  Italian
American State Legislators; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marc Coppola.