LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gary L. Spielmann upon the occa-
sion of his designation as Special Honoree by the Columbia County Commu-
nity Services Board

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Gary L. Spielmann upon the occasion of his designation as Special
Honoree by the Columbia County Community Services Board for his personal
and professional commitment on behalf of suicide prevention; this auspi-
cious occasion will be celebrated at the Ninth Annual Board Dinner, to
be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Kozel's Restaurant in Ghent,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Spielmann has evidenced a long and abiding interest
in using the power of government to improve people's lives, especially
in the areas of education and human services; and
WHEREAS, Beginning his professional career in 1970 as a professor at
the State University of New York at Albany, in 1977 Gary L. Spielmann
joined the staff of the Speaker of the Assembly of the State of New York
and served 18 distinguished years as a policy advisor to four Assembly
leaders; and
WHEREAS, As a response to the growing problem of youth violence, in
1979 Gary L. Spielmann developed the first safe schools program for New
York; in 1986, he researched and drafted a law aimed at preventing the
accidental poisoning of children; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Gary L. Spielmann was named Executive Deputy Commis-
sioner in the Department of Environmental Conservation where, as Chief
Operating Officer, he was responsible for reorganizing the Department
and improving its productivity and services; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Gary L. Spielmann served in various positions in
the New York State Office of Mental Health, including as Director of
Planning and Evaluation, Director of Project Management, and as the
first Director of Suicide Prevention; he served as the principal archi-
tect of New York State's suicide prevention strategy program which has
been cited by the federal government as a model for other states; and
WHEREAS, As an expert in suicide prevention, Gary L. Spielmann edited
the three-volume report, SAVING LIVES IN NEW YORK: SUICIDE PREVENTION
AND PUBLIC HEALTH; in 2005, he co-chaired the organizing committee for
the first New York State Summit on Suicide Prevention and was the 2005
recipient of the Power of One Award presented by the suicide prevention
action network; and
WHEREAS, Retiring from New York State public service in December 2006,
Gary L. Spielmann remains active in the suicide prevention community at
the regional level and has devoted much of his time working in Columbia
County; and
WHEREAS, A consultant for suicide prevention for the New York State
Bridge Authority, Gary L. Spielmann also advises the New York State
Thruway Authority and the International Peace Bridge Authority on bridge
safety; and
WHEREAS, A Board member of the Capital Region chapter of the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Gary L. Spielmann is a member of the

Columbia County Suicide Prevention Task Force and has helped to organize
its Survivors Day event; he is past president of both the Northern
Columbia Lions Club and Columbia County Sight and Hearing group; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Spielmann is president of the Kinderhook Memorial
Library, serves on the Village of Kinderhook Zoning Board of Appeals,
and is a member of the Columbia County Association in the City of New
York and the Columbia County Executive Club; he is also an active
supporter of the Columbia Land Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Spielmann received his B.A., cum laude, as well as an
M.A. in 1968 and an M.S. in 1981, from the University at Albany; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Spielmann grew up in Sullivan County, New York, and
he is a 40 year resident of Kinderhook, New York; he and his beloved
wife, Wendy, are the proud parents of two grown children, Kirsten and
Erik; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Gary L. Spielmann has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Gary L. Spielmann has displayed
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gary L. Spielmann upon the occasion of his designation as
Special Honoree by the Columbia County Community Services Board; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gary L. Spielmann, Kinderhook, New York.