LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Lewis Ruge upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Northern Dutchess Hospital
Foundation on June 13, 2009

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Ruge has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Lewis Ruge
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the
Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation at its Starlight Ball to be held
on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck,
New York; and
WHEREAS, A lifetime resident of Rhinebeck, New York, Lewis Ruge owns
and operates Ruge's Subaru, Chrysler, Jeep and GMC dealerships in Rhine-
beck and Copake Falls; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Lewis Ruge has been
called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors on behalf of the Northern Dutchess community and
has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, In his nearly 35 years of service to Northern Dutchess Hospi-
tal (NDH), Lewis Ruge has been a visionary advocate and dedicated ambas-
sador who has played a significant role in shaping the growth and devel-
opment of healthcare in the region; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Ruge has been an active member of the NDH Board since
1975, serving as Treasurer from 1979-2003, as Second Vice Chairman from
2003-2005, and as the Chairman of the Campaign for Northern Dutchess
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, As a result of his Chairmanship of the Campaign for Northern
Dutchess Hospital, a three-year fundraising initiative which was
unprecedented in every way, the Hospital was able to undertake the most
transformative building project since its initial construction in 1929,
a 50,000-square-foot Pavilion that greatly enhanced access to healthcare
services throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Lewis Ruge was a founding member of the NDH
Foundation Board, serving from 1986 to 2009, and an original member of
the Board that governs the Hospital's 72-unit senior and low-income
housing apartment complex, Wells Manor; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his significant contributions to NDH, Lewis
Ruge also serves as one of 16 members of the Dutchess County Agriculture
Board of Directors and is a long-time member of M&T Bank Board; his
service dates back to when the bank was known at the First National Bank
of Rhinebeck; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his efforts of in-depth magnitude, Lewis
Ruge has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including:
the Rhinebeck Rotary's 2006 Citizen of the Year Award and the Boy Scout
Council's 2008 Good Scout Award; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Lewis Ruge has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, of 45 years, Char-
lotte; their three daughters, Kristen, and her husband, Scott; Gretchen,
and her husband, Glen; and Erica, and her partner, Jason, as well as
their four grandchildren, Mitchell, Sonya, Spencer and Gavin, all of

whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Lewis Ruge has displayed throughout
his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Lewis Ruge upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation on June 13,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lewis Ruge.