LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Jill Peckenpaugh upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2016 Philanthropy Award by the Turk-
ish Cultural Center Albany

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the causes of peace and understanding, building
bridges between cultures for the benefit of us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jill Pecken-
paugh upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2016
Philanthropy Award by the Turkish Cultural Center Albany to be cele-
brated at its 5th Annual Friendship Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Tues-
day, April 19, 2016, at Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Turkish Cultural Center Albany (TCCA) is a non-profit
organization devoted to promoting peace and understanding among people
from diverse cultural backgrounds in New York's Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, The TCCA's 5th Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony is
an expression of unity with an ultimate goal of building bridges of
understanding, peace and harmony among diverse communities; it also
recognizes individuals and organizations for making differences in their
communities by promoting social cohesion; and
WHEREAS, Jill Peckenpaugh is receiving the TCCA Philanthropy Award in
recognition of her outstanding work in helping refugee populations
resettle in New York's Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Jill Peckenpaugh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interna-
tional Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a graduate
degree in Training and Development from Lesley University; and
WHEREAS, With over 20 years of experience in organizational develop-
ment, this esteemed woman has specialized in multicultural populations
throughout her career in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the United States Committee on Refugees and
Immigrants (USCRI), Jill Peckenpaugh served as the Director of Program
Management at Cross-Cultural Solutions, an international non-profit
volunteer organization; she also held positions in marketing and commu-
nications in the international department at John Hancock Financial
Services; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Jill Peckenpaugh joined USCRI as the Director of the
Albany Field Office where she has overseen numerous programs including
Refugee Resettlement, Employment Services, Immigration Services and the
Office for New Americans; and
WHEREAS, Jill Peckenpaugh's tireless efforts have been vital in help-
ing USCRI resettle over 400 refugees annually from such places as
Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, and various African nations; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Jill Peckenpaugh 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 Jill Peckenpaugh 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jill Peckenpaugh upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-

ent of the 2016 Philanthropy Award by the Turkish Cultural Center Alba-
ny; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jill Peckenpaugh.