Assembly Resolution No. 935
BY: M. of A. Rosenthal L
HONORING the life and legacy of Mathilde Krim, an
innovative scientist and devoted activist and leader
in the fight against HIV/AIDS
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose devoted leadership and lifework
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim passed away at the age of 91 on Monday,
January 15, 2018, at her Kings Point, New York, home; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 9, 1926, in Como, Italy, as Mathilde Galland
to Eugene Galland, a Swiss-Italian, and the former Elizabeth Krause, an
Austrian; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim received a Ph.D. in Biology from the
University of Geneva, Switzerland, in 1953, and went on to pursue
research in cytogenetics and cancer-causing viruses at the Weizmann
Institute of Science in Israel; and
WHEREAS, Following her marriage to New York attorney Arthur B. Krim
in 1958, Mathilde moved to New York and joined the research staff at
Cornell University Medical School; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Mathilde Krim became a research scientist at the
Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research; she then became the
Director of Interferon Lab where she served from 1981 through 1985; and
WHEREAS, During this time, the first cases of AIDS were reported,
and Mathilde Krim set to work to increasing public awareness of AIDS,
understanding its causes, modes of transmission and epidemiologic
patterns; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim became the founding chairwoman of the AIDS
Medical Foundation which was later named amfAR, the American Foundation
for AIDS Research; and
WHEREAS, amfAR is one of the largest international HIV/AIDS
organizations working to advance sensible AIDS-related policy and secure
funding for vital research since it was founded in 1985; and
WHEREAS, During her life, Mathilde Krim was a pioneer in AIDS
research and dedicated her life's work to researching the AIDS epidemic
and fighting the stigma experienced by individuals afflicted by
HIV/AIDs; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in large part as a result of her dedication,
diligence and innovative research, we now have a more profound and
compassionate understanding of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic; since 1985,
amfAR has invested $480 million in awareness and prevention programs and
has been awarded more than 3,300 grants to HIV/AIDS research teams
worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim was awarded 16 honorary degrees, and in 2000,
was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian
honor in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her long and purposeful life, Mathilde Krim was
a selfless, profound and passionate activist and researcher who was
loved and admired by all she encountered; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim had a great passion for the garden as well,
and would spend much of her free time growing flowers and vegetables in
her beautiful garden outside her home in Kings Point, New York; she
often used these vegetables in her own cooking with her family; and
WHEREAS, She was also a voracious reader; Mathilde Krim was known to
read multiple books simultaneously in many subject fields; her favorite
genres were non-fiction, history and biography; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim avidly followed current events and politics,
and would spend every night watching the news to keep updated in local,
state and global events and issues; and
WHEREAS, Mathilde Krim was predeceased by her husband in 1994, and
is survived by her daughter, Daphna, grandchildren, Robert and Amanda,
and her sister, Maria; and
WHEREAS, Imbued with a humanistic spirit and deep compassion,
Mathilde Krim leaves a legacy which will endure the test of time and
remain an inspiration to all she served and befriended; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and legacy of Mathilde Krim, distinguished and
compassionate citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mathilde Krim.
