Official Memorandum form

The Mayor's Office

December 15, 1988

 

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

 

I hereby declare throughout the municipal boundaries of New York City:

December 18, 1988

IRA GITLER DAY

 

 

The City of New York takes pride in rcognizing Ira Gitler, a native son, for his lasting contributions to the culture of our city and the universe as aparticipant at the highest level in all aspects of ice hockey and jazz.

 

Ira has fed the minds of many generations of budding jazz followers through his unique writing, teaching and production talents. He's pennedsuch scholarly masterpieces as "The Encyclopedia of Jazz" (other wise as The Bible) and the highly regarded "Swing to Bop". Over the years, Ira's nurtured the minds of jazz junkies at City College as an artist in residence and , most recently, at the New School. His tribute productions. highlighting the careers great inclufding Parker, Hawkins, Young, Reinherdt, Webtser, Welshmann and Chiasson are legendary. Likewise his radio shows, which had the entire Denver jaxx community fixated around his opening line . . ."From New York, it's Apple Jam with Ira Gitler."

 

Ira's long time love affair with hockey is built on the same premise as above but is sparked by a higher dedication and spirit to teamwork and the essece of the game. If anything, his unflagging support of the New York Rangers, spanning 47 Cup-less years, is testimony to . . . to . . . to something. Beyond being an avid spectator, Ira has excelled as a foemost writer of hockeyjournals and books. For the ordinary man that would probably be enough to satisfy one's thirst for hockey. Not Ira!  He has always longed to be completely immersed in the game. Whether it be coaching in the Metleague where he encouraged such emerging talents as Hicks, Conden and, of course, the Mighty Blume, or relaizing the creation of a life-long dream and his greatest vision in the Gitler's Gorillas, arguably the most revered and respected seater in all the City, if not 80th Street, or just schmoozing or imbibing into the wee hours of the morning after a local scrimmage, Ira has given his all and we are all better for it.

 

In observtion of Ira Gitler Day in New York City, I hereby declare the following activities to be executed on Sunday, December 18, 1988:

 

• All schools will be closed
• All financial trading institutions will be closed
• Alternate-side parking will be lifted
• All skirts will be lifted
• The city flag will be painted silver, green and white
• The city mascot will be the gorilla
• A parade license will be available to anyone who wishes for organize an Ira Gitler Day Parade (limited to 80th Street, between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue)
• All males over the age of 13 or those who have reach puberty, whichever came first, will have their heads shaved, will wear glasses and grow a moustanche, large nose and a belly.
• At 3 PM the entire New York City  populance, residents and visitors will all put their hands together and chant . . .OOOOH, OOOOOH, OOOOOH.

                                                                 

 

                                                                  Signed,

 

 

 

                                                                  Edward I. Koch

                                                                  Honorable Mayor of New York City