LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ruth Garner upon the occasion of her
designation as a recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ruth Garner
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by a
resolution in 2014 and is awarded to individuals who have merited
special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on
behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Born November 18, 1915, in Norwood, New York, Ruth Finnegan
married her high school sweetheart, George Garner, and the couple raised
six children; they opened a funeral home in Potsdam in 1947, running the
business until 1980; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Garner's interest in public service blossomed through
talks with her father, a station agent for the railroad, about current
events; she became active in local politics in 1973, when she became the
first woman ever elected to the Potsdam Village Board; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she was elected Mayor in 1977, but stepped down
in 1981 to care for her husband; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Garner became a steadfast and outspoken advocate for
AIDS education and research after learning in 1985 that her son had
contracted the disease; she has spoken often of the need for support
groups to help loved ones of those suffering from AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Garner returned to the north country and served as the
Mayor of Potsdam from 1993 until 2005; and
WHEREAS, Instrumental in the rebirth of downtown Potsdam, Ruth Garner
is also credited with the rehabilitation of the old hydro dam; in addi-
tion, she oversaw the village when the Route 11 bypass was constructed;
and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her service, Ruth Garner immediately
returned to the Board as a Trustee and was appointed Deputy Mayor, a
position she still holds today; she is believed to be the oldest serving
elected official in New York, and is possibly the oldest elected repre-
sentative in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her government service, Ruth Garner has been a
Board Member of the Potsdam Public Library, the St. Lawrence County
Historical Society, the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Guild, as well as the
Potsdam Chapter of the Zonta Club and Renewal House, an agency which
helps battered women; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she was actively involved with the Merwin Rural
Services Institute, Potsdam's Diversity Day Festival, and the New York
Conference of Mayors; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Ruth Garner, devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ruth Garner upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ruth Garner.