LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Donald Reeb upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Virginia Horan Community Service Award
from the Town of Guilderland

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, Donald Reeb has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Donald Reeb
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Virginia Horan
Community Service Award from the Town of Guilderland on Tuesday, April
26, 2011; and
WHEREAS, A United States Army veteran, Donald Reeb honorably served
his country for two years before graduating with honors from Wittenberg
College in Springfield, Ohio, in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, Donald Reeb received his doctorate in
economics at the Syracuse University Maxwell School and accepted an
assistant professor appointment at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Donald Reeb relocated to the Capital Region when he
was appointed to the University at Albany; shortly after, he spent a
year at the United States Department of Commerce conducting research on
state and local government finance; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Donald Reeb became active in the McKownville
Improvement Association, eventually becoming the Association President;
over the years, he has contributed greatly to the preservation and
enhancement of the McKownville community; and
WHEREAS, Under Donald Reeb's luminous leadership, the Town of McKown-
ville has seen significant improvements including new sidewalks, rebuilt
storm sewers, a park at Stuyvesant Plaza, and the acquisition of a large
Western Avenue parcel used by the McKownville Fire Department, as well
as numerous other improvements throughout the town; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man 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, In addition to his career work as a Neighborhood Activist, he
supports numerous other community services and organizations; he volun-
teered for several years at the Stratton Veterans Administration Hospi-
tal where he was assigned to its music therapy program, assisting the
choir director and helping the veterans to perform their songs; he also
served as part of an investigating team for the American Association of
University Professors; and
WHEREAS, Don Reeb has been a sustaining model of citizen activism and
volunteerism in the Town of Guilderland since his arrival over 40 years
ago; he has championed and defended the neighborhood bearing of McKown-
ville, so cherished in so many other American towns, villages, and
hamlets across our land in facing the many complex and inexorable chal-
lenges and contortions of suburban growth; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Donald Reeb has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Donald Reeb 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
honor Donald Reeb upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Virginia Horan Community Service Award from the Town of Guilderland;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Donald Reeb.