LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. Morton Coleman upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by Congregation Anshe Sholom
on June 13, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Dr. Morton Coleman upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Congregation Anshe Sholom at its Testimonial Dinner held
on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at The Hilton Rye Town, Rye Brook, New York;
and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Dr. Morton Coleman has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and
diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
profession; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 15, 1939, to Bessie Levin and Isadore Cole-
man, in Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Morton Coleman attended Taylor Elementary
School, Blair Junior High School, and Maury High School in Norfolk,
graduating at the age of sixteen; he attended what was then called
William and Mary in Norfolk (now Old Dominion University), receiving his
Associate of Arts Degree in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Morton Coleman then transferred to Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity where, after one year, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1959; he
went on to attend The Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine in
Richmond, graduating second in his class in 1963, and winning awards in
surgery and medicine as the top student; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Morton Coleman was a junior inductee into
Alpha Omega Alpha, the honorary medical society similar to Phi Beta
Kappa; during the summer he worked at DePaul Hospital in pathology,
where Dr. Arnold Strauss took him under his wing, became a true mentor,
and encouraged him to continue his medical studies; following medical
school, he went on to internship and complete his first year residency
at Grady Memorial Hospital, the main teaching hospital of Emory Univer-
sity School of Medicine in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Morton Coleman proudly served in the United States mili-
tary as part of the Berry Plan for doctors; he was assigned to the USS
Sylvania, in Naples, Italy, a ship of the Sixth Fleet; while at sea,
being the only doctor sometimes for a small flotilla, he was assigned to
fly rescue with a helicopter contingent on board ship; following a year
and a quarter at sea, he was reassigned to Bethesda Naval Hospital, just
outside of Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, In July 1967, Dr. Morton Coleman moved to the New York Hospi-
tal-Cornell Medical Center (now New York Presbyterian Hospital), where
he remains and continues to practice, specializing in lymphoma, myeloma,
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; he is
Director of the Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma and Clinical Professor
of Medicine at the Weill-Cornell Medical College; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Morton Coleman is an internationally known oncologist,
who has developed innovative treatments for hematologic malignancies,
which are now used as standard therapy throughout medicine; he has
authored hundreds of scientific publications; has lectured throughout
the world; has served as chairman, president, or member of numerous
prestigious scientific, medical, and non-profit organizations, their

committees and subcommittees; he has also helped found a number of
scientific and medical companies; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his efforts of in-depth magnitude, Dr.
Morton Coleman has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades,
including those from Old Dominion University, The Cure for Lymphoma
Foundation, The New York Cancer Society, and the Lymphoma Research Foun-
dation, the latter for which he serves on the executive committees of
the lay and scientific boards and chairs the education and medical
affiliates boards; he is also annually named as one of the Best or Top
Physicians in the United States; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Rye, New York, Dr. Morton Coleman is a devoted
member of Congregation Anshe Sholom, where he has been called upon to
contribute his time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Joyce, their chil-
dren, Ingrid, Benjamin, and Abigail, as well as their three grandchil-
dren, Elizabeth, Anneliese, and Brennan, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. Morton Coleman has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Morton Coleman upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by Congregation Anshe Sholom on June 13, 2010; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Morton Coleman.