LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gerson "Jess" Sobel upon the occa-
sion of celebrating his 102nd Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Gerson "Jess" Sobel was born in New York City on March 28,
1910 and was raised in the Bronx, where he lived near Yankee Stadium; he
later moved to Rockville Centre and continues to this day to live in the
house he moved to in 1941; and
WHEREAS, Gerson Sobel's love of swimming dates back to the 1920's,
where he was a champion New York City swimmer at DeWitt Clinton High
School in Hell's Kitchen from 1924-1928, after which he went on to swim
for Syracuse University from 1928-1932 and was Captain of the Water Polo
Team; he swam the 100-yard freestyle in close to a minute, a significant
threshold at the time and was also an ice skater and played hockey; and
WHEREAS, After college, Gerson Sobel gave up competitive swimming and
focused on family and career; to earn money during the Depression, he
and his brother spent nearly a year operating a shark fishing boat in
Florida, selling the skins, teeth and oils; and
WHEREAS, Eventually, the pair took over the family printing and office
supply business in which Gerson Sobel worked until 1975 and, since his
well-deserved retirement, he has remained active, devoting his time and
energy to his favorite pastime, swimming; and
WHEREAS, He still swims every day he can at the Freeport Recreation
Center, which he joined in 1974, signed up for its swimming program, and
went on to become a local swimming legend - a national and world masters
champion who holds numerous records for freestyle races in several age
categories; and
WHEREAS, As he has for the past 30 years, Gerson "Jess" Sobel still
happily gathers at CJ's Coffee Shop on Long Beach Road in Rockville
Centre at 5:30 every weekday morning to have breakfast with a group of
close friends, who, this year, honored him with a surprise Birthday
Party at CJ's attended by his friends, extended family, and admirers;
and
WHEREAS, With Gerson Sobel throughout have been his wife of 73 years,
the former Pearl Orloff of New Haven, Connecticut; their children Jim,
Tom, and Judy Bott; their five grandchildren and a great-grandson, all
of whom are proud to be part of his life and rejoice in his many accom-
plishments; and a soon to be born great-granddaughter; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with his zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved man has enriched the lives of those around him
through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to publicly recognize
those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and
celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achieve-
ments of this country during the last century, while themselves contrib-
uting to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gerson "Jess" Sobel upon the occasion of celebrating his
102nd Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gerson Sobel.