LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Hans L. Trefousse, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Hans L. Trefousse of Shore Acres, New York, died on Friday,
January 8, 2010, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Hans Trefousse distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Hans Trefousse immigrated to the
United States in 1935 as a refugee escaping Nazi persecution in pre-war
Germany; he later served in the United States Army during World War II
from 1941 to 1946; and
WHEREAS, In combat, Mr. Trefousse interrogated prisoners; he was also
instrumental in using his German language skills to negotiate the Nazi
surrender of Leipzig, Germany, in 1945; and
WHEREAS, A Captain in Army Intelligence, Hans Trefousse was awarded
the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star; after the war, he continued to
serve in the Army Reserves and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colo-
nel in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Hans Trefousse earned his Bachelor's degree from City College
of New York and his Doctorate from Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, Hans Trefousse joined the faculty of Brooklyn
College; his interest as a historian was focused on the Civil War, and
his 18 published works including books on Rutherford B. Hayes, Abraham
Lincoln, Thaddeus Stevens, Andrew Johnson, the Civil War and Recon-
struction; in addition, he wrote about Pearl Harbor and the plight of
Native Americans; and
WHEREAS, Hans Trefousse retired in 1998 and was named distinguished
professor emeritus of history; later in his career, he taught at the
Institute for Retirees in Pursuit of Education (IRPE) at Brooklyn
College; he also lectured in a similar program with retirees at the
College of Staten Island, Willowbrook; and
WHEREAS, Hans Trefousse's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, A member of Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan and predeceased by
his wife, Rashelle, Hans Trefousse is survived by his son, Roger; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Hans Trefousse leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Hans L. Trefousse, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Hans L. Trefousse.