LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Paul Kellner upon the occasion of
receiving the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Columbia
County Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Paul
Kellner upon the occasion of receiving the Distinguished Citizen of the
Year Award from the Columbia County Association at a dinner to be held
Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Gallagher's Steak House, Manhattan, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Paul Kellner is a man of singular distinction who has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and
diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
consequently has been designated for this most prestigious award; and
WHEREAS, A native Hungarian, Paul Kellner was born at the dawn of
World War I; his father left for war when he was just three years old
and was one of the first casualties of the conflict; in 1942, Paul's
wife, Clara, told him she was pregnant only days before he left to face
the Russians as a disapproving Axis soldier in World War II; and
WHEREAS, Paul Kellner's unit, the Second Hungarian Army, was ordered
to Voronezh, Russia, where it was defeated; he and about 50 Hungarian
troops were released by the Russians and walked home through burned-out
villages and the horrible aftermath of war; barely escaping, after being
recaptured near the Ukrainian border, he eventually made it home to
Budapest where he was reunited with his young family; and
WHEREAS, Paul Kellner was soon captured again but managed to escape
and wait out the rest of the war underground; after the war, he found
his beloved country under Communist control; as a result, in February
1947, he immigrated to New York City; and
WHEREAS, Like many new immigrants, Paul Kellner found that starting
over was difficult; however, through sheer determination and persever-
ance, in only a few years, he became the successful proprietor of a
startup tie company; and
WHEREAS, Through skill, intelligence and, as Paul Kellner will be the
first to say, some luck, his business, Better Cravats, became a major
American company; he came to America in search of democracy and a safe
and prosperous future for his family; he found it all, and now gives
back to both countries he has called home; and
WHEREAS, The Kellner family's philanthropy is broad and deep; they
provide complete scholarships for Hungarian youths from Kellner's alma
mater in Budapest's American studies program to come to study in the
United States; they also have a scholarship for nursing students at
Columbia-Greene Community College, provided they move on to Columbia
Memorial Hospital in Hudson when they graduate; and
WHEREAS, In the 1990s, Columbia Memorial Hospital honored Paul and
Clara Kellner for their many years of unwavering support by naming its
newly constructed wing in their honor; and
WHEREAS, Paul Kellner 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, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Paul Kellner has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Clara, and their son,
George, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by Paul
Kellner over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Paul Kellner upon the occasion of receiving the Distinguished
Citizen of the Year Award from the Columbia County Association; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul Kellner.