LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending President of the American Legion
Auxiliary Department of New York, Diane Gerber upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Sullivan County American
Legion on March 11, 2015

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend President of
the American Legion Auxiliary Department of New York, Diane Gerber upon
the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Sullivan
County American Legion to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Wednes-
day, March 11, 2015, at the Eagles Nest in Bloomingburg, New York; and
WHEREAS, Chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic
veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness, the American Legion
is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed
to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communi-
ties, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national securi-
ty, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans;
and
WHEREAS, Originally born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Diane
Gerber moved with her children to Staten Island, New York; for many
years, she served as Branch/Office Manager of Tucker Anthony & R.L. Day,
and then Comptroller for a small barge company; and
WHEREAS, After many years of commuting, Diane Gerber accepted the
position of Office Manager for two podiatrists closer to her home; after
numerous years of dedicated service, she officially retired in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Through the eligibility of her late father, Robert G.
Siebold, Diane Gerber has been an active 25-year member of the Cespino
Russo Auxiliary No. 1544, in Richmond County, Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, On the Unit level, Diane Gerber served as a member of all
committees, as well as Unit Secretary, Vice President, and President; in
the capacity as President, she was honored as Member of the Year and
received Life Membership for her outstanding achievements within her
community promoting the American Legion Auxiliary programs; and
WHEREAS, Diane Gerber was also a member of all County level major
committees, and held the position of President for three terms, as well
as District President for two terms; as the County Americanism Chairman,
she received the Helen Hauber Americanism Award for her outstanding
Americanism program within her community, and was the Gift Shop
co-Chair; today, she is a Department Certified Leadership Instructor;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, on the Department level, Diane Gerber held many
different leadership roles, including chair of numerous committees
including: Americanism, Education & Scholarship, Community Service,
VA&R, Field Service, and Membership; she also was both the co-Chair of
the Annual SAL Walk-a-Thon and WFA; and
WHEREAS, Since 2008, Diane Gerber has acted as both Americanism Chair-
man and House-mother for the participants of Empire Girls State; four

years later, she was the recipient of the National Eastern Division
Outstanding Program Award for Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Diane Gerber received the Outstanding Community
Service Award for her work with Veterans and Friends of Abandoned Ceme-
teries, and was honorably initiated and awarded the Legion of Honor
Humanitarian Award of the 4 Chaplains, by the Staten Island Marine Corps
Detachment League; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Diane Gerber was a registered Veterans Volunteer in
a correctional facility on Staten Island, and is currently a member of
both the Department and National American Legion Press Association; and
WHEREAS, For over 24 years, Diane Gerber participated in her community
as an active member of Staten Island Fleet Week, Inc., serving as Corre-
sponding Secretary, Public Relations/Community Service Director, and
Food Director; she also volunteered at the Special Olympics, Tunnels to
Tower, and the Brooklyn VA Gift Shop; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her three children, and eight
grandchildren, as well as one brother, Robert G. Siebold II, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend President of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of New
York, Diane Gerber upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Sullivan County American Legion on March 11, 2015;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Diane Gerber.