LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Karen Schimke upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by Catholic Charities Caregivers
Support Services

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Karen Schimke upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by Catholic Charities Caregivers Support Services; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the organization's 23rd Anni-
versary Celebration, to be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at The
Carondelet Hospitality Center, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, New
York; and
WHEREAS, An inspiration for the families served by Catholic Charities
Caregivers Support Services, and for the organization itself, Karen
Schimke is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Schuyler Center
for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA), a 138 year old non-profit, non-parti-
san public policy and advocacy organization working to improve health
and human services in New York; and
WHEREAS, Previously serving as the Executive Deputy Commissioner for
the New York State Department of Health (1995-1996), Karen Schimke
served in that same capacity for the New York State Department of Social
Services (1993-1995); she was the Erie County Commissioner of Social
Services from 1988 to 1993; and
WHEREAS, Karen Schimke has spent many distinguished years in govern-
ment service and in non-profit endeavors where she has always been an
advocate for individuals, families and children; and
WHEREAS, As President and Chief Executive Officer of SCAA, Karen
Schimke has intensified her focus on services for children; she has been
active with the New York State Education Department as the implementa-
tion of Universal Pre-Kindergarten moves forward; she was the policy
chair for the New York State Association for the Education of Young
Children; and
WHEREAS, A Co-Chair of both the New York Early Childhood Advisory
Council and the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board, Karen Schimke also
serves on the Board of Directors of the Health Information Exchange New
York; she has received many honors over the years and has been an active
community volunteer and board member of numerous health and welfare
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Karen Schimke received her B.A. in Social Welfare at the
University of Nebraska; she received her M.S.W. at the School of Applied
Social Sciences at Western Reserve University; she is also a graduate of
Making Quality Happen at the Juran Institute and the program for senior
executives in state and local government at Harvard University; she is a
Fifth Year Scholar at the Public Health Leadership Institute; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Karen Schimke has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; rare
indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the bene-
fit of others which Karen Schimke has displayed throughout her 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 recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Karen Schimke upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by Catholic Charities Caregivers Support Services;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen Schimke, Glenmont, New York.