November 21, 2006

Mary Jane Karger Receives Westchester County Youth Board's 2006 Rosemarie Siragusa Award

County Legislators Mike Kaplowitz, Vito Pinto, Bernice Spreckman and Board Chair Bill Ryan with honoree Mary Jane Karger

At a special ceremony on November 15, Mary Jane Karger received the Westchester County Youth Board's prestigious Rosemarie Siragusa Award for her long-standing devotion and service to the youth of Westchester County, especially her work in promoting understanding and respect for personal differences in sexual orientation.

Below is the text of the Proclamation presented to Ms. Karger.

                                    WHEREAS, Mary Jane Karger through her   demonstrated commitment to the youth of Westchester County exemplifies the qualities represented by Rosemarie Siragusa who was the founder and Chair of the County Youth Board, and

                                    WHEREAS, Mary Jane Karger’s service to children and youth spans several decades from working as a caseworker with adolescent girls in the group home setting to her current position of school social worker in the Carmel Central School District.  In addition, she established and consulted with numerous community organizations that offer programs to children, youth and families, and

                                    WHEREAS, Mary Jane Karger’s special contribution being recognized today is her leadership in educating the community and in establishing supportive associations for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.  She serves as co-chair of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of the Hudson Valley, as a board member of GLSEN National and as co-chair of GLSEN’s National Advisory Council, and

                                    WHEREAS, Mary Jane Karger’s advocacy has changed the lives and the future of many young adults who battle prejudice  -  empowering them to speak out on their own behalf, to work for change in their schools and to establish support networks among their peers, and

                                    WHEREAS, the work of Mary Jane Karger also includes educating school staff and parents through such events as workshops, conferences and PTA presentations with the goal of creating a safe and caring environment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth of Westchester County, THEREFORE BE IT

                                    RESOLVED, that the members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators join with Chairman William J. Ryan and Legislators Michael B. Kaplowitz, Bernice Spreckman and Vito J. Pinto in paying tribute to Mary Jane Karger for her work to promote understanding and respect for personal differences in Westchester County, AND BE IT FURTHER

                                    RESOLVED, that today, November 15, 2006, be proclaimed “Mary Jane Karger Day” in Westchester County, AND BE IT FURTHER

                                    RESOLVED, that the text of this proclamation be carried throughout the County of Westchester for all people of good will to forever know.