WHEREAS, Mr. Robert Gessler is the youngest of four children born to Bruce and Teresa Gessler, grew up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and went on to graduate from Northeast Catholic High School in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gessler has been married to fellow life-long Philadelphian Kathleen Dougherty for the past 16 years and currently resides with her in the Torresdale section of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gessler is the past president of Division #87 of the Ancient Order of Hibemians, where he served for eight years and as president, was recognized by the national board of the AOH for its numerous charitable endeavors, won three Mayor James J. Tate Parade Awards and founded a junior division at Northeast Catholic High School. During his tenure, the division grew from 85 members to over 650
when he departed; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gessler was the President of the Philadelphia County Board for over ten years, during which time he was able to transform the County Board into a powerful force for charitable works in the City of Philadelphia by raising over $500,000 per year for a myriad of causes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gessler founded the Hibernian Community Development Corporation to provide housing and educational opportunities to disadvantaged Philadelphians and also authored the Hibernian Hunger Project, which through the hard work of numerous Hibernians and donations from AOH members, unions, organizations and private individuals has fed over 70,000 people in the Delaware Valley and is now a national initiative for the Order; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor Bob Gessler and thank him for his exemplary service as President of the Philadelphia County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Robert Gessler as evidence of the high esteem and sincere gratitude of this legislative body.
End