LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ari Kagan upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition at the 44th Annual Dinner Dance of
the United Progressive Club on May 6, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals who distinguish themselves in their profession and
in service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
community activist Ari Kagan upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition at the 44th Annual Dinner Dance of the United
Progressive Club, to be held at The Rex Manor in Brooklyn, New York, on
May 6, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan was born in the city of Minsk, now Belarus, in
1967; he graduated from the Journalism Department of the Lvov Military
Political College in 1988 and went on to work as a reporter for many
Russian military and civilian newspapers writing critically, during the
Gorbachev era, of both the Soviet government and the Communist Party;
and
WHEREAS, On May 24, 1993, Ari Kagan came to America with his family
and, the very next day, made his way to the Jewish Community House of
Bensonhurst and offered to work there as a volunteer; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan continued his education here, earning, in 1999, a
degree in business administration, marketing and advertising from CUNY
Bernard M. Baruch College with honors; and
WHEREAS, He has worked as a reporter for many local Russian language
publications and was an active member of the board of the Independent
Press Association of New York, now known as the New York Community Media
Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan is currently a Senior Editor of the influential
VECHORNIY NEW YORK weekly newspaper and a host of the popular weekly TV
show "Here in America" on the Russian Television Network of America and
of the morning "City News" program on Davidzon Radio, 620AM; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan is, in addition, a member of the boards of the
American Brotherhood for Disabled People (ABRUD), United Association of
East European Jewry, Brooklyn's Holocaust Memorial Committee, NASH JEW
(New Americans Self Help Jewish Educational World), Council of Unity and
Racial Equality (CURE) and several other non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, For the past 17 years, since he came to New York, Ari Kagan
has, in addition, volunteered his time and expertise working on behalf
of those in need and has helped many seniors, tenants, veterans, disa-
bled people, underprivileged children, nursing home residents and immi-
grants; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan has been honored many times for his journalistic
achievements and community involvement and, since February 2009, has
been working as a Community Liaison for Congressman Michael McMahon who
represents Staten Island, Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst, helping his
constituents, especially immigrants; and
WHEREAS, With Ari Kagan throughout have been his wife, Bela, and their
children, Yakov and Victoria, all of whom are proud to be part of his
life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Ari Kagan has distinguished himself in his profession and in
his community and truly merits the recognition of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ari Kagan upon the occasion of his designation for special

recognition at the 44th Annual Dinner Dance of the United Progressive
Club on May 6, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ari Kagan.