LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Antonella Pechtel upon the occasion of
receiving the Labor Activism Award from the Capital District AFL-CIO, on
June 6, 2013

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, Antonella Pechtel 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Antonella
Pechtel upon the occasion of receiving the Labor Activism Award from the
Capital District AFL-CIO; she will be honored at the 8th Annual Capital
District Area Labor Federation Appreciation Gala on Thursday, June 6,
2013, at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Antonella Pechtel, Political Director of 1199SEIU, has
received this esteemed award in recognition of her outstanding efforts
on behalf of healthcare workers, and her deep commitment to the belief
that all Americans are worthy of dignity, security and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, Born in Switzerland, Antonella Pechtel moved to Schenectady,
New York, as a child in 1972, learning English in Schenectady's Public
schools; and
WHEREAS, Antonella Pechtel began her career as a certified nursing
assistant at Schenectady County's Glendale Nursing Home in the early
1990s, caring for the area's most vulnerable and frail citizens; her
calling as a leader and voice for the workers and residents was quickly
recognized and, as a member of the healthcare workers' union 1199SEIU,
she was elected union delegate by her co-workers; and
WHEREAS, In her union delegate role, Antonella Pechtel not only fought
for economic security for the Glendale caregivers through contract nego-
tiations, she also helped to organize other healthcare workers in the
region and became a driving force in efforts to ensure that access to
quality health care remained a priority for public policy makers; and
WHEREAS, Antonella Pechtel was hired by 1199SEIU as a full-time organ-
izer in 2005; in her current capacity, she is responsible for advocacy
in the Hudson Valley and the Capital Region, inspiring the hundreds of
advocates and community members she meets in the course of her work
through her effective trainings, tireless campaign work and the shining
example of her leadership; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Antonella Pechtel 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 Antonella Pechtel has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Antonella Pechtel upon the occasion of receiving the Labor
Activism Award from the Capital District AFL-CIO; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Antonella Pechtel.