Vincent J. Gentile, Council Member of the 43rd District, is proud to join the Scandinavian East Coast Museum to honor Arnold Bergman for his outstanding service to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the United States and Norway; and

WHEREAS: Arnold Bergman grew up around Lapskaus Boulevard (the colloquial Norwegian name for Eighth Avenue) in its heyday, attending 59th Street Church and afterwards consuming pannekaker at the Atlantic Diner with scores of other parishioners. His mother Evelyn was born in Brooklyn, but raised as a child in Lista, Norway. His father Einar was born and raised in Vrengen (the land of inside out), located in Arendal, Norway; and

WHEREAS: Arnold first visited Norway in 1948 and, according to his brother Maurice, “He left his mark there. First he fell into a nearby river, outside our family’s home. When he dried off, he climbed a nearby mountain and tried skydiving without the backup of a parachute. Talk is, that nearby neighbors are still contributing towards a bronze plaque to commemorate his landing. The term ‘squarehead’ originated when he hit the ground”; and

WHEREAS: Arnold works at the Norwegian Christian Home & Health Center, where he manages their Volunteer Program with much success. As is his way, he has reached out to a broad base of people who all adore working with him - seniors, high school students, members of Guild for Exceptional Children and others; and

WHEREAS: Arnold has served as the Vice President of the Scandinavian East Coast Museum since its inception and the organization could not exist without his dedication. Whether he is schlepping, driving, note taking or schmoozing, he is a jack-of-all-trades. Arnold exemplifies the important qualities of community responsibility and volunteer dedication ideals embedded in Norwegian culture and the mainstay of Bay Ridge; now, therefore

BE IT KNOWN: That I, Vincent J. Gentile, Council Member of the 43rd District, most gratefully honor

ARNOLD BERGMAN

and nominate him as

Norwegian of the Year

for his outstanding service to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the United States and Norway.

Signed this 16th day of May in the year Two Thousand and Nine.

VINCENT J. GENTILE
Council Member, 43rd District
Brooklyn