LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Roger and Patricia Tanner upon the occa-
sion of their designation for special recognition by The Cypress Hills
Local Development Corporation

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, Roger and Patricia Tanner have given not only of their time
and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership
and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Roger and
Patricia Tanner upon the occasion of their designation for special
recognition by The Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation at an
event celebrating 25 years of service to their community, to be held at
Catering By Dees, Forest Hills, New York on Thursday, December 9, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, Roger and Patricia Tanner have been called upon to contribute
their time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Both Roger and Patricia Tanner were born in Cypress Hills,
Brooklyn, NY; each of their families were members of Andrews United
Methodist Church on Richmond Street and were both part of the scouting
and youth programs at the church; the two began dating in their late
teens and were married in 1962; and
WHEREAS, At age 16 Roger began working at Werner & Acker, Cypress
Hills Florist and remained there after graduating from Franklin K. Lane
High School; he continued his employment and training at the florist
shop, managing and ultimately owning the business; Pat became increas-
ingly involved in the floral business and eventually became a full-time
partner; and
WHEREAS, As members of Andrews United Methodist Church Roger and
Patricia Tanner also found time to work with the youth groups as well as
the boy scouts; as church members they have served in many capacities
over the years from preparing meals, teaching and serving as trustees of
the church; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, church leaders, members of the community and of the
Kiwanis Club of Highland Park were called together; they began a
youth/senior program and a not-for-profit agency to oversee the program;
this was the beginning of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
(CHLDC); and
WHEREAS, A year later in 1983, CHLDC was incorporated and the Inter-
generational Program began; Roger was named to the Board of Directors
and Patricia served on the youth program committee; at the same time New
York City had opened a Neighborhood Stabilization Office in the communi-
ty which offered training, support and assistance to the CHLDC Board;
and
WHEREAS, Roger was among a group of board members who wrote a Grant
Proposal to New York State Division of Homes & Community Renewal; the
grant was a success and the organization grew from there; and
WHEREAS, Roger and Patricia Tanner have been delighted to see the
CHLDC grow over the years; as Board Officers and Members they are proud
of their part in bringing the small program of 1983 into an agency with
such a remarkable level of success; serving 16 students with a part-time
employee they now have multiple educational, housing, counseling and
community development programs as partners; the current staff of more
than 100 full-time and many part-time employees has provided jobs and
services for members of the community; and

WHEREAS, Until retiring last year Roger and Patricia Tanner's business
provided the flowers of many Cypress Hills residents, as well as employ-
ment opportunities for their children, for students after school hours,
and other members of the community; and
WHEREAS, Roger and Patricia Tanner have been blessed with two loving
children, Deborah and Thomas, and their spouses, as well as nine grand-
children and two great-grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of their lives and rejoice in their achievements; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Roger and Patricia Tanner have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
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
organizations and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Roger and Patricia Tanner upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition by The Cypress Hills Local Development Corpo-
ration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Roger and Patricia Tanner.