LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Elizabeth H. Berger,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of the Lower Manhattan communi-
ty

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, With great sorrow and deep regret, this Legislative Body is
moved to mourn the death of Elizabeth H. Berger, distinguished citizen
and devoted member of the Lower Manhattan community, who died on Monday,
August 5, 2013, at the age of 53; and
WHEREAS, An exceptional civic leader and longtime champion of Lower
Manhattan, Elizabeth Berger distinguished herself in her profession and
by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
her community; and
WHEREAS, The president and CEO of the Alliance for Downtown New York,
as well as the president of the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association,
Elizabeth Berger was an instrumental figure in the shaping, revisioning,
and rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Harrie Berger was born on August 3, 1960, in New
York City; during her childhood she split her time between New York,
Buffalo and Providence, Rhode Island; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger graduated from Yale College with a degree
from the program she created, The Study of the City; after graduation,
she established and built government relations practices at the law
firms Lord Day & Lord Barrett Smith; LeBoeuf, Lamb Greene & MacRae; and
the law offices of Claudia Wagner; and
WHEREAS, A talented professional, Elizabeth Berger went on to create
the Department of Government and External Affairs at Lincoln Center; she
also served as an Assistant Mayoral Representative to the New York City
Council during the administration of Mayor Edward Koch; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger was immersed in New York City's civic life;
a 30 year resident of New York City's Financial District, she was a
member of Community Board 1 from 1999 to 2005, and was also deeply
involved with many organizations, serving on the boards of The Municipal
Art Society, Film Forum, Second Stage Theatre, American Museum of
Natural History Planetarium Authority and the New York Building
Congress; she was also a mayoral appointee to the board of the Trust for
Governors Island; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger joined the Alliance for Downtown (Downtown
Alliance) as president and CEO in November 2007 after serving as a board
member for several years; and
WHEREAS, Under her visionary leadership, the Alliance and Downtown-
Lower Manhattan Association successfully advocated for many initiatives,
including full funding and timely completion of the Fulton Street Trans-
it Center; the reconstruction of Fiterman Hall; and the enactment of
post-9/11 commercial leasing incentives; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger was renowned for her indefatigable energy,
exacting intellect, creativity, and unreserved love for New York City;
she will be remembered for her optimism and drive, for her strong
commitment to her family and friends, and for her vision of Lower
Manhattan "as a place teeming with vitality and potential and a proving
ground for municipal innovation"; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger was sincerely loved and greatly respected by
all with whom she worked; she served her community with dignity, dedi-
cation and incisive wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Berger is survived by her husband, Frederick Kauf-
man, her two children, Phoebe and Julian, her mother, Anita, and her
brother, Gideon; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Elizabeth Berger leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Elizabeth H. Berger, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of the Lower Manhattan community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Elizabeth H. Berger.