Senate Resolution No. 531

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

HONORING former Congressman Chris Gibson upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
by the Columbia County Association in the City of
New York on May 18, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals of distinguished purpose whose lives have been
committed to public service and the pursuit of excellence in the conduct
of the legislative process of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
former Congressman Chris Gibson upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Columbia County Association in the City of
New York on Thursday, May 18, 2017; and

WHEREAS, A native of Kinderhook, New York, Chris Gibson was born on
born May 13, 1964, to Robert and Barbara Gibson; he attended Ichabod
Crane High School where he was a point-guard and co-captain of the
basketball team; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Siena College in 1986, Chris Gibson
joined the United States Army where he served tours in the First Gulf
War, Kosovo, and Iraq; he rose to the rank of Colonel and earned
numerous military decorations, including four Bronze Stars, two Legions
of Merit and a Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, With a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University, Chris
Gibson later became a Professor of American Politics at the United
States Military Academy at West Point; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he served as a national security affairs
fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University where he
published his first book in 2008, Securing the State, which offered his
overview on national security decision-making; and

WHEREAS, Retiring from the Army in 2010 to run for Congress, Chris
Gibson defeated Scott Murphy and served as the United States
Representative for New York's 19th Congressional District; he was
re-elected in 2012 and 2014; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Chris Gibson made a name
for himself, focusing on local issues such as expanding access to
broadband and improved treatment of Lyme disease; he held a forum on
Lyme disease in Saratoga Springs which attracted 500 people including
patients, medical experts, and environmental professionals; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Chris Gibson served as an advocate for the
passage of the 2012 Farm Bill and supported reauthorization of the
Violence Against Women Act; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2015, Chris Gibson, a staunch supporter of
term limits, announced that he would not seek re-election in 2016;

originally seen as a possible candidate for Governor in 2018, he
announced he would not run for a fourth term to take time for his
family; and

WHEREAS, Chris Gibson will begin teaching leadership studies at
Williams College in February of 2017, just weeks after his final term in
congress ends; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Mary Jo, and their
three children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State has most certainly
benefited, in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence
and passion that former Congressman Chris Gibson brought to his work as
a legislator and public-policy maker; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor former Congressman Chris Gibson upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Columbia County Association
in the City of New York on May 18, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to former Congressman Chris Gibson.