LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Ruth Garner upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Ruth Garner upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday to be cele-
brated on Wednesday, November 18, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Finnegan was born on November 18, 1915, in Massena, New
York, one of six children of Dennis and Isabelle Dame Finnegan; at a
young age, she moved with her family to Norwood, New York, where she
attended local schools; and
WHEREAS, After graduating Valedictorian, Class of 1933, from Norwood
High School, Ruth Finnegan entered nursing school at Champlain Valley
Hospital in Plattsburgh, New York; however, she was forced to return
home to take care of her ailing mother before taking her boards; and
WHEREAS, While home, Ruth Finnegan began a successful career as a
manicurist and hairdresser, eventually opening her own beauty shop in
Norwood which she managed for many years; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, Ruth Finnegan married her former high school class-
mate, George Garner, and together, they were the proud parents of six
children; Ruth and George established the Gamer Funeral Home in 1945,
and Ruth assumed the duties of office manager in addition to her respon-
sibilities of being a mother and beauty shop owner; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated community leader and trailblazer for women in
North Country politics, Ruth Gamer first became politically active
during the debate over a proposed bond issue for Potsdam schools, and
later went on to serve as President of the PTA; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by her father's saying, "Don't complain unless you
have a better solution," Ruth Garner quickly became known throughout the
region for her passion for civic affairs, as well as her tenacious and
rambunctious spirit; during the late 1960s, she participated in walks
from Potsdam to Canton, New York, to raise awareness during the Civil
Rights and Anti-War movements; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Ruth Gamer became the first woman to be elected to
the Village of Potsdam Board of Trustees; six years later, she was
elected Mayor and became deeply involved in such contentious issues as
planning and zoning, downtown traffic, and urban renewal; and
WHEREAS, After taking time off from politics to care for members of
her family, Ruth Garner returned as Mayor in 1993 for the first of four
consecutive terms; during this time she continued to display a passion-
ate commitment to improving life in her community; and
WHEREAS, With a sense of civic responsibility, Ruth Garner has
remained a vital part of local government since stepping down as Mayor
and Deputy Mayor; a long time member of the Village Board of Trustees,
she has also been an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, and
helped bring the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the North Country; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Garner has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; she served as a member of the Board of Direc-
tors of the St. Lawrence County Historical Society, and was President of
the Potsdam Public Library Board of Directors, as well as the Renewal
House Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Ruth Garner was Chairperson of the Annual New
York State Local Government Conference at SUNY Potsdam, and received the
university's 2014 Civic Engagement Award; and
WHEREAS, Believed to be the oldest serving elected official in New
York State, Ruth Gamer was featured in a 2003 "60 Minutes" story inter-
viewing senior citizens who remain working well past the traditional age
of retirement; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional civic leader and pioneer for women in poli-
tics has inspired many through her fine example, extraordinary dedi-
cation and ardent desire to serve others; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing 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 Ruth Garner upon this momentous occasion and to wish her a
very happy 100th Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ruth Garner.