LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable Karen K. Peters upon the
occasion of her designation as recipient of the Honorable Judith S. Kaye
Distinguished Member Award by the Capital District Women's Bar Associ-
ation on June 4, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Karen K. Peters has given not only of her time
and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
The Honorable Karen K. Peters upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Honorable Judith S. Kaye Distinguished Member Award by
the Capital District Women's Bar Association, to be celebrated at its
Annual Installation Dinner on Tuesday, June 4, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Capital District Women's Bar Association Legal Project,
Inc. is a private, not-for-profit agency that was founded by the Capi-
tal District Women's Bar Association in 1995; and
WHEREAS, The Legal Project mission believes all people, regardless of
income, gender, disability, race, religion, age, sexual orientation or
ethnicity should have access to legal services; this belief reflects a
deep commitment to fairness and equal justice under the law; and
WHEREAS, Justice Karen K. Peters is a graduate of The George Washing-
ton University, and New York University School of Law; she was admitted
to practice law in 1973, and began her legal career in private practice,
later serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Dutchess County; and
WHEREAS, From 1979 to 1983, Justice Peters was counsel to the State
Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, as well as the director of the
State Assembly Government Operations Committee in 1983; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Justice Peters became the first woman elected to the
Supreme Court in the Third Department, and was re-elected in 2006; on
February 3, 1994 she was appointed as a Justice of the New York State
Appellate Division, Third Department, and became the first woman to be
Presiding Justice of the Third Department when appointed by Governor
Andrew Cuomo on April 5, 2012; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Justice Peters was appointed and presently serves on
the New York State Task Force on Wrongful Convictions; she also serves
on the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the New York
State Bar Association's Special Committee on Procedures for Judicial
Discipline; and
WHEREAS, Justice Peters has been active in a number of other profes-
sional and civic organizations; she has received numerous awards,
including the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education
and Directors of Camp Emunah Empowerment Award, the Albany Law School
Kate Stoneman Award, the Mid-Hudson Women's Bar Association Sojourner
Truth Award, and the Albany Law School Gabrielli Memorial Award; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when indi-
viduals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Karen K. Peters upon the occasion of her desig-

nation as recipient of the Honorable Judith S. Kaye Award by the Capital
District Women's Bar Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Karen K. Peters.