LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sheila U. Appel upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by Abilities First, Inc. on April
30, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and
its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Sheila U. Appel upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition by Abilities First, Inc. at its first annual gala, "Gait to the
Gala," to be held on Friday, April 30, 2010, at The Grandview, Pough-
keepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, Sheila U. Appel is the Manager of Corporate Citizenship and
Corporate Affairs for IBM, where she began her esteemed career in 1977;
she entered the field of programming, but soon learned that as much as
she loved math, she loved interacting with people more, so she embarked
on a new career into various management positions; and
WHEREAS, In her current position, Sheila U. Appel is the liaison for
IBM in New York overseeing a range of programs helping to establish IBM
as a leader in a new breed of corporate philanthropy -- an approach that
promotes systemic social improvement largely through investments of
technology, employee skills and volunteerism; corporate responsibility
is an integral part of the IBM brand, and in this capacity she is help-
ing build on IBM's long history of community investment in New York; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Sheila U. Appel has received two People
Management Awards, a distinct honor bestowed on IBM managers who excel
in the qualities of outstanding leadership and people management skills;
she has also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in the
Hudson Valley; and
WHEREAS, Despite her busy professional life, Sheila U. Appel has been
called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Sheila U. Appel has served as Chair of both the Greater
Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation; she is
on the Board of Directors for Dutchess Community College Foundation,
chairs the Families First NY Board, is a Board member of the Business
Council of Westchester and was recently appointed to the Board for the
American Heart Association; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sheila U. Appel serves on the Board of Directors
for United Way of Dutchess County, is the Vice Chair for the United Way
of Dutchess County Board of Governors and was the 2008 Chairwoman for
the United Way campaign in Dutchess County; she also chaired the Ameri-
can Heart Association's 2009 Go Red For Women luncheon and is the
current Chair for the 2010 event; and
WHEREAS, Sheila U. Appel has also served on the Board for a number of
not-for-profits in the region, including the YMCA, REHAB and Big
Brothers/Big Sisters, to name a few; moreover, she has been the Chair of
Kids EXPO since 1999 and has served as Vice Chair for Volunteers for the
2005 Empire State games which were hosted in the Hudson Valley; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sheila U. Appel was appointed to serve on the
New York State Standards and Practices Board for Teaching, the Strategic
Planning Committee for Higher Education in New York State and was a
Director for community services on the Institute for Business Inno-
vation; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her efforts of in-depth magnitude, Sheila
U. Appel has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades; she
was honored by Future Business Leaders of America with "Business Person
of the Year" and has been selected as a New York State "Woman of
Distinction"; and
WHEREAS, She has also received the Mill Street Loft Friends of the
Arts Award, the YWCA Salute to Women Award, the Pillars of the Community
Award from the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, Girl
Scout's 2003 "Seat of Honor" Award and the 2009 Girl Scout's "String of
Pearls" Award; in May 2009, she was presented the Leadership Dutchess
Distinguished Alumni Award from the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of
Commerce Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Sheila U. Appel has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Sheila U. Appel 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 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
honor Sheila U. Appel upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by Abilities First, Inc. on April 30, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sheila U. Appel.