[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING ARNOLD B. GARDNER, ROOT-STIMSON AWARD RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2006

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Arnold B. Gardner, a determined and dedicated leader in the advancement 
of quality and accessible education, as the recipient of the Root-
Stimson Award, presented recently by the New York State Bar Association 
for outstanding community service.
  I can think of no one more deserving as Arnold Gardner for this 
prestigious award. Mr. Gardner is well-known for his volunteer service 
across the state and as a ``champion of public education,'' according 
to Jeremiah J. McCarthy, president of the Erie County Bar Association.
  Mr. Gardner is indeed a champion whose advocacy on behalf of public 
education spans almost four decades. From 1969-1977, he was a member 
and served as president of the Buffalo Board of Education. He was 
appointed to a statewide task force on teacher education and 
certification in the late 1970s.
  In 1980, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees for SUNY during 
which time he served as a vice chairman. Following 19 years of service 
on the SUNY Board, he was elected to the New York State Board of 
Regents in 1999 where he oversees Kindergarten through 12th grade 
education, higher learning and professional practices. Re-elected in 
2004, Mr. Gardner will remain a Regent until 2009.
  Mr. Gardner's commitment to community service extends to his 
membership on the Board of Governors of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish 
Institute and the National Council of the American Jewish Committee 
where he served as National Vice President. He is also a Trustee of the 
New York State Archives Partnership Trust and previously served as a 
member of the New York State Holocaust Memorial Commission. He was 
recognized in 1997 with the Meritorious Service Award from the New York 
State NAACP, and in 1988, he and his wife, attorney Sue Gardner, were 
honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
  Now, a senior partner at the Kavinoky Cook law firm, where he joined 
after he graduated from Harvard Law in 1953, Mr. Gardner continues to 
find a balance between his passion for both law and education. In 
addition to being regarded as one of the best corporate lawyers in the 
nation, he remains as a pioneer in advancing educational issues in 
Buffalo and New York State.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Gardner provides us all with a model of how our 
convictions can extend into all facets of our lives--our career, 
family, community. A Life magazine article about Harvard Law School 
inspired Mr. Gardner to follow his dream of becoming a lawyer, but he 
didn't lose sight of his other passions--a passion for education and 
community service. On behalf of the Western New York community, I would 
like to congratulate Mr. Gardner and extend our best wishes to him and 
his entire family, for this outstanding achievement.

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