LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Peter and Gretchen Koch upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of the 2014 Convention Days
Community Service Award

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Peter and Gretchen Koch have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Peter and
Gretchen Koch upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
the 2014 Convention Days Community Service Award, to be celebrated at
its Women's Rights Convention from Friday, July 18, 2014 to Sunday, July
20, 2014, in Seneca Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, Peter and Gretchen Koch have been called upon to contribute
their time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Peter Koch was born in 1942 on Staten Island, New York; upon
graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1964, he honorably
served in the United States Army until 1967, during which time his
daughter's Kimberly Ann and Heather Marie were born; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return from his tour of duty, Peter Koch worked for
the Ford Motor Company until 1969; leaving Ford he then worked at G&T
Ford in Seneca Falls for a year, and then moved on to H&L Ford in Auburn
until 1979; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1979, Peter Koch purchased Plaza Motors, and the
following year he married his wife Gretchen; together the couple has two
children, Charlotte and George; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Peter and Gretchen Koch bought the Chrysler facility
on Fall Street and reopened the local Chrysler Plymouth dealership that
transitioned over the years to Peter Koch Chrysler Dodge Jeep; they
opened Peter Koch Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Elmira, New York in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Valued and involved members of the community, Peter and Gret-
chen Koch have actively served the Seneca Falls community in numerous
capacities; and
WHEREAS, Along with working at the dealerships, Gretchen Koch, who was
born in Buffalo, has volunteered with numerous organizations throughout
the community including the Seneca Falls Historical Society, St.
Patrick's School, the Seneca County Children's Committee, the Seneca
Falls Library, and the House of Concern; and
WHEREAS, Peter and Gretchen Koch have participated in the choir and
Parish Council at St. Francis/St. Clare, Birthright of Seneca Falls,
and Habitat for Humanity; they have also supported the National Women's
Hall of Fame, and sponsored five scholarships at DeSales High School;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, they have served as Board Member and Past Presi-
dent of the DeSales Board, and are very active with the Nicaragua
Project collecting, refurbishing and packing items to be sent to Nicara-
gua; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Peter and Gretchen Koch have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; they retired from the dealer-
ship in 2012 and are now living in Fayette, New York; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Peter and Gretchen Koch have displayed
throughout their lives; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Peter and Gretchen Koch upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2014 Convention Days Community Service Award; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Peter and Gretchen Koch.