LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Kiwan-
is Club of Buffalo on July 3, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Buffalo to be cele-
brated on Sunday, July 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers
dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time;
and
WHEREAS, The six permanent objectives of Kiwanis International are to:
give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material
values of life; encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all
human relationships; promote the adoption and the application of higher
social, business, and professional standards; develop, by precept and
example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship;
provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring
friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communi-
ties; and cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opin-
ion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness,
justice, patriotism, and goodwill; and
WHEREAS, For a Century, the dedicated men and women of the Kiwanis
Club of Buffalo have served the Western New York community by serving
the children of the world; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 1916, the first Kiwanis Club in the New York
district was chartered in Rochester, New York; its first president was
attorney George F. Hixson who served for two years, the only person to
do so; and
WHEREAS, In that same month, George F. Hixson, and Albert Dodge, the
future charter President of the Kiwanis Club of Buffalo, participated in
the first national Kiwanis meeting in May of 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio,
along with members of new Kiwanis Clubs from many other cities such as
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Detroit, Michigan; of the 15 clubs repres-
ented at the convention, seven were from New York: Rochester, Lockport,
Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Albany and New York; and
WHEREAS, At that meeting George F. Hixson was elected as the first
President of Kiwanis, and Albert Dodge was chosen as the national organ-
ization's first Secretary; and
WHEREAS, During George F. Hixson's tenure, the Kiwanis Club became an
international organization by chartering a club in Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada; he played key roles in the early years of Kiwanis while the
organization was transformed from a commercial to a community service
organization; and
WHEREAS, Since its Secretary was from Buffalo, the headquarters of
Kiwanis International was located in the City for the first four years
of its existence; in addition, the first KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL magazine
was edited in Buffalo, and printed in Rochester; and
WHEREAS, Albert Dodge served as Vice President of Kiwanis Interna-
tional in 1919; in that capacity, he chaired the Kiwanis Convention in
Birmingham, Alabama, which was a key event in the organization's devel-
opment; in 1920, Albert held the title of New York District Governor;
and

WHEREAS, In 1923, the District Governor of Kiwanis, Lew Mitchell of
Buffalo, drafted the original Six Objectives of Kiwanis, which were
approved at the Kiwanis International Convention one year later; today,
these tenets continue to serve as the guiding statement for today's
Kiwanians; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of President, Rudi Rain-
er, the Kiwanis Club of Buffalo continues to assist children with intel-
lectual disabilities; this vital organization sponsors numerous programs
such as the Niagara Frontier Camp Kiwanis, the Aktion Club, Gliding
Stars, and the Occupational Training Center and School 84; and
WHEREAS, The Aktion Club provides adults with disabilities an opportu-
nity to develop initiative and leadership, to serve and be included as
active participants in their community and to demonstrate the dignity
and value of citizens living with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Annually, over 50 children with intellectual disabilities
from the city of Buffalo and the entire Western New York region are able
to enjoy a week of fun in the sun and making new friends at Niagara
Frontier Camp Kiwanis, located a Cradle Beach in Angola, New York; for
seven days, campers enjoy a variety of activities including arts and
crafts, nature walks, swimming, picnics, and campfires as well as a
talent show; and
WHEREAS, Gliding Stars is an unique skating experience created for
children with developmental disabilities; with special adaptive devices,
these children are able to skate on ice and learn social skills and
about the value of teamwork; at the end of the season, the kids partic-
ipate in the Ice Extravaganza Performance; and
WHEREAS, A community-based Special Education Program, Occupational
Training Center and School 84 provides services to children with devel-
opmental disabilities by preparing them to function successfully within
a variety of community environments; and
WHEREAS, Part of the Niagara Frontier South Division, the Kiwanis Club
of Buffalo also helps young people through its volunteer work with
Salvation Army, Cornerstone Manor, Hertel North Park Youth Baseball
League, Key Club/Circle K, and the Parent Network of WNY; and
WHEREAS, A shelter for women and children, Cornerstone Manor is part
of the Buffalo City Mission offering freedom from social, physical and
spiritual poverty by providing a secure shelter, food and clothing and a
Christ-centered resident recovery program; and
WHEREAS, The Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League offers children
the opportunity to play on a baseball team at Shoshone Park; and
WHEREAS, Kiwanis Club of Buffalo also sponsors Key Club/Circle K,
.SO DOC S R4857 RESO TEXT 2015
youth groups in high school and college which provide service to their
communities; and
WHEREAS, The Parent Network of WNY provides financial support for
childcare for over 50 families while the parents are in training
sessions to learn parenting skills for their children with special
needs; and
WHEREAS, The Club also assists the Salvation Army with their renowned
Toy Drive and procures monetary contributions for underprivileged chil-
dren in Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, The Kiwanis Club of Buffalo has provided significant funding
to The Women's and Children's Hospital Pediatric Trauma Center which
provides state-of-the-art treatment to pediatric and adolescent
patients; and
WHEREAS, Since 1990, the Ruth A. Jantz Memorial Scholarship Fund has
been awarded to academically qualified and financially in-need students
who have given back to their community; physically challenged students
with disabilities are given special consideration; and

WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Kiwanis
Club of Buffalo provide a model for enhancing the quality of life in the
community and, as such, merit the grateful praise of the community of
the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Buffalo on July
3, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rudi Rainer, President, Kiwanis Club of Buffalo.