New York District Kiwanians can be very proud of the accomplishments of many of our members! Let's start first with the first President of Kiwanis International, George Hixson, who served two years. This happened before New York became a district! And we have a past governor, Jack A. Tetamore, 1972-73, that personally knew George Hixson!
Our first elected International President was Anton "Tony" J. Kaiser of the Farmingdale Kiwanis Club. Tony served as president the 1987-88 administrative year. Gerald "Jerry" P. Christiano was elected International President and served the 1996-97 year. Following Jerry, was Thomas "Tom" E. DeJulio, being elected 2012 and serving as our International President for the 2012-13 year.
An interesting note to our history is, Jerry Christiano served as lieutenant governor of the Genesee Division when Tony Kaiser was District Governor in 1971-72. Tom DeJulio was Governor of the New York District in 1996-97 when Jerry Christiano was the International President.
We are one of the districts that presently have three living Past International Presidents!
The New York District can also be proud that we have four Kiwanians who have been elected president of the Kiwanis International Foundation, starting with Past Governor (1969-70), Louis "Lou" L. Theiss, Jr., serving as Foundation President in 1992-93. Next was Past Governor William "Bill" L. Martin, serving the 2001-02 year, followed by John "Jack" J. Harten, Governor (1984-85), serving as Foundation President 2010-11. Now, brings us to Past Governor (2003-04), Peter J. Mancuso, who served during the 2012-13 year. Very impressive achievement by these talented Kiwanians!
In closing, we also had another achievement that very few districts are able to accomplish. That is having a Kiwanis International President, Tom DeJulio, a Kiwanis International Foundation President, Peter Mancuso, and the Circle K International President, Josephine Lukito, all serving at the same 2012-13 year!!
I hope you find this bit of New York history interesting!
Column Posted on Web Site April 20, 2014
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