LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Jaap Ketting upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition as Founder of the Bedford Hills
Historical Museum

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 commend
Jaap Ketting upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion as Founder of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum; this auspicious
occasion will be celebrated at a dinner to be held in his honor on
Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at the Kittle House in Chappaqua, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 25, 1916, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Jaap
Ketting moved to the Netherlands' Indies upon the completion of his
academic studies, where he was employed in the pharmaceutical industry;
and
WHEREAS, Jaap Ketting joined the Royal Dutch Air Force in 1941 and
flew numerous combat missions during World War II, narrowly escaping the
Japanese occupation of Java; he survived his plane being shot down on
three occasions, and suffered bullet wounds inflicted by an attacking
fighter plane; and
WHEREAS, After the war, in 1946, Jaap Ketting relocated to the United
States and settled in Bedford Hills, New York, working to supply much-
needed medical supplies to war-ravaged Indonesia; and
WHEREAS, Jaap Ketting became a naturalized citizen of the United
States and continued to expand his pharmaceutical company, Consolidated
Midland, until his retirement and sale of the business in 1984; and
WHEREAS, Displaying a keen interest in the history of his adopted
community, and recognizing the historic link between the nation of his
birth and the New Amsterdam settlement in New York, Jaap Ketting appre-
ciated the need to document and celebrate the unique history of the
hamlet of Bedford Hills, New York; and
WHEREAS, Jaap Ketting has devoted many years to researching the histo-
ry of the Bedford Hills community and to collecting related artifacts,
documents and photographs; he is the author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROOSE-
VELT DRIVE: A DISTINCTIVE NEIGHBORHOOD IN BEDFORD HILLS and A BRIEF
HISTORY OF BEDFORD HILLS; and
WHEREAS, Serving as the driving force, founder, and first president of
the Bedford Hills Historical Museum, Jaap Ketting oversaw the successful
installation and opening of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum within
the Bedford Town House in November 2004; he remains a current board
member of the Museum; and
WHEREAS, Well known for his charitable spirit, humility, industrious
nature and constant good humor, Jaap Ketting, and his wife, Conny, are
among the original residents of Roosevelt Drive in Bedford Hills, where
he and Conny raised their family following their marriage in 1950; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Jaap Ketting 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 Jaap Ketting has displayed through-
out his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jaap Ketting upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition as Founder of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jaap Ketting, Bedford Hills, New York.