LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Gabriel and Valerya Meltser upon the
occasion of their designation as Guests of Honor at the 57th Anniversary
Banquet of the Flatbush Park Jewish Center on May 17, 2009

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the Empire State is great-
ly enriched by the faithful and generous service of those who devote
themselves to endeavors of family, faith and community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals of such magnanimous conduct and bearing who demon-
strate a deep and continuing concern for others, and in so doing,
inspire others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Gabriel and Valerya Meltser upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as Guests of Honor at the 57th Anniversary Banquet of the Flat-
bush Park Jewish Center, to be held at Kings Terrace in Brooklyn on
Sunday, May 17, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Flatbush Park Jewish Center has grown from a storefront
congregation of 45 families to become one of New York City's leading
Orthodox congregations; it has evolved into a true center of Jewish
communal life, serving the religious, educational and social needs of
the young and old of Brooklyn's Mill Basin community; and
WHEREAS, Gabriel and Valerya Meltser were among those who took advan-
tage of the tear in the Iron Curtain some 30 years ago; they left their
home in Munkach, a bustling town in the Ukraine with many Jewish fami-
lies, for the freedom of religion and of opportunity which America
offered; and
WHEREAS, Gabriel and Valerya Meltser joined their many friends in Mill
Basin and very quickly became members of Flatbush Park Jewish Center;
they enrolled their sons, Robert and Mark, in Yeshiva Ateres Israel from
which they graduated and, after a number of years, joined the trucking
business Gabriel had founded; Mark and his wife Michelle are the proud
parents of a daughter, Bianca; and
WHEREAS, Gabriel and Valerya Meltser are sincerely devoted members and
leaders of the Flatbush Park Jewish Center and their community, as well
as generous supporters of many worthy programs and causes at the Center,
in the community, and in Israel; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to extend its highest commen-
dation to Gabriel and Valerya Meltser for their dedication and commit-
ment to their community and their heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Gabriel and Valerya Meltser upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as Guests of Honor at the 57th Anniversary Banquet of the Flat-
bush Park Jewish Center on May 17, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gabriel and Valerya Meltser.