LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Kiwanis
Club of Gravesend, Brooklyn, to be celebrated on June 9, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 60th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend, Brooklyn,
to be celebrated on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at Rex Manor, Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Six decades ago, a group of like-minded individuals from the
Gravesend area of Brooklyn wanted to make their community an even better
place to raise their families and operate their businesses; and
WHEREAS, Chartered on March 8, 1956, the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend,
Brooklyn is a community service organization, part of an international
organization composed of business and professional individuals who
respond to the unique needs of its community; and
WHEREAS, The Club's weekly meetings provide fellowship and networking
with other members of the community, an opportunity to learn valuable
information from programs delivered by guest speakers, and the means to
help improve its community and to help those who are less-fortunate; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1956, the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend
has strived to improve the quality of life in its beloved community by
funding scholarships, providing food for the needy through the First
Baptist Church, sponsoring children to attend Kamp Kiwanis, and assist
in the organization of the Holiday Party at Ft. Hamilton; and
WHEREAS, True to its mission of "Serving the Children of the World,"
the members of the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend are dedicated to the
students at PS 177 by hosting Read Aloud Day, donating Scholastic books
and supporting both sports teams and music classes; in addition, the
Club sponsors various sports programs at St. Athanasius School; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the betterment of its community, the Kiwanis
Club of Gravesend aids many worthy organizations such as Sts. Simon and
Jude St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus Cardinal Stritch,
Rolling Thunder, and Ronald McDonald House; and
WHEREAS, Grateful to our Nation's veterans, the Club promotes the
Veteran's Fishing Trip for veterans of the Day Hospital of the Brooklyn
VA Medical Center, and supports the Wounded Warrior Project; and
WHEREAS, The Kiwanis Club of Gravesend also advises the NYU Circle K
Club, an organization of college age men and women; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of President, Robert
Bonsignore, the vital members of the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend, which
include Charles (Bill) D'Emic, Vincent Monteleone, John LaGreca, Joseph
Romagnolo, Santo Matarazzo, Michael Rizzotto, Isaac Mizrahi, Eugene
Boccieri, Constantine Arniotes, Anthony Vaccaro, and Alfred Polizzotto,
as well as Michael Pastena continue to BUILD and change the world, one
child and one community at a time; and
WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Kiwanis
Club of Gravesend, Brooklyn, provide a model for enhancing the quality
of life in the community and, as such, merit the grateful praise of the
community of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Gravesend,
Brooklyn, on June 9, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Bonsignore, President, Kiwanis Club of Gravesend,
Brooklyn.