LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ann G. Gifford upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2012 Zontian of the Year Award

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, Ann G. Gifford has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ann G. Gifford
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2012 Zontian of
the Year Award, to be celebrated on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at
Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford was born on May 28, 1937, in Utica, New York,
and raised in the Whitesboro, New York area, where her grandfather had
been a village doctor; and
WHEREAS, The second oldest of seven children, and the older of two
sisters, Ann G. Gifford graduated from Whitesboro Central School in
1955, and from Elmira College in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford became a public administration intern with the
New York State Division of the Budget that July; over the years she rose
to principal budget examiner (public finance) in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Ann G. Gifford worked on State and
local tax policy, revenue forecasting, tax negotiations with legislative
staffs and industry, and bill drafting; she also directed research on a
study of the State and local sales and use tax; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford volunteered at Albany's Clinton Square Neigh-
borhood House in the mid-to-late sixties and was active in reform poli-
tics in the 1960s as a member of the Albany Independent Movement; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Ann G. Gifford also was active in ASPA (the
American Society for Public Administration), and secretary of the local
chapter for a few years; she now is a member of SAPA (the State Academy
of Public Administration); and
WHEREAS, Since 1977, Ann G. Gifford has belonged to the parish of the
Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Albany; there she has visited shut-
ins, briefly worked on the food pantry, and served as a Eucharistic
Minister to shut-ins; for many years, she was an active member of the
Uptown Council of Churches, an interfaith group; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford joined the Zonta Club of Albany in 1985, part
of an international organization formed in 1919 to advance equality for
women around the world; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Zonta Club, Ann G. Gifford served on many
committees; she was President from 1989-1990 and served on the board
several times; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford also served on the board of the Albany Girls
Club from 1985 to 2000, when it became part of Girls Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Enjoying hands-on service, Ann G. Gifford has most recently
worked on youth awards and volunteered at the Schuyler Inn homeless
shelter; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford became a founding member of the Capital
District Senior Issues Forum, and served as its treasurer and on its
steering committee; and

WHEREAS, For several years, Ann G. Gifford wrote and edited the book-
let for the Forum's annual lifetime achievements awards ceremony for
seniors 85 and older; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Ann G. Gifford was amongst a group of concerned
Albanians who formed the Albany Fund for Education, Inc., a non-profit
formed to enhance educational opportunities for the public school
students of Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ann G. Gifford served as treasurer for the Albany Fund for
Education, Inc. for many years, and has continued on the board; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her service projects, Ann G. Gifford enjoys
reading, gardening, classical and popular music, ballet, art, history,
archeology and visiting with friends and family; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ann G. Gifford 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 Ann G. Gifford has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ann G. Gifford upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2012 Zontian of the Year Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ann G. Gifford.