LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ricja Rice, Esq. upon the occasion of
her Installation as incoming Recording Secretary for the Capital
District Women's Bar Association

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, Ricja Rice 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
Ricja Rice, Esq. upon the occasion of her Installation as incoming
Recording Secretary for 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, Queens native and the first lawyer in her family, Ricja Rice
is the Legislative Director and Counsel for New York State Senator Kevin
Parker of Brooklyn, New York; she has a bachelor's degree from Union
College in Political Science and African Studies with a minor in Sociol-
ogy, and obtained her law degree from Albany Law School; and
WHEREAS, Ricja Rice has served as a Co-Chair of the Diversity and
Gender Fairness Committee for the Capital District Women's Bar Associ-
ation for the past four years; in her capacity as Co-Chair, she has
orchestrated and participated in the annual diversity program held at
Albany Law School on increasing diversity on the bench and bar; and
WHEREAS, Practicing in the courts and now meeting with many advocacy
groups from around New York State, Ricja Rice tirelessly works on break-
ing barriers based on poverty, language, race, sex, gender and disabili-
ty; she has drafted several pieces of legislation to create equality and
justice for all; 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 it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ricja Rice, Esq. upon the occasion of her Installation as incom-
ing Recording Secretary for the Capital District Women's Bar Associ-
ation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ricja Rice, Esq.