LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Women's Business Council of the
Capital Region Chamber of Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its 25th
Annual Women of Excellence Luncheon and honoring this year's honorees on
June 3, 2016

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Women's
Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce upon the
occasion of hosting its 25th Annual Women of Excellence Luncheon and
honoring this year's honorees on Friday, June 3, 2016, at the Albany
Marriott Hotel, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, For many years, the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce has
helped build a strong community by connecting its members to people,
business and issues important to business success; and
WHEREAS, The Capital Region Chamber of Commerce represents 2,800 busi-
nesses and organizations from throughout Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer
and Saratoga Counties and beyond, which employ more than 150,000 area
residents; and
WHEREAS, The Women of Excellence Award acknowledges outstanding women
in seven categories; this year's honorees include, Distinguished Career
recipient, Mary Jane Smith, Unity House of Troy; Excellence in the
Professions recipient, The Honorable Helena Heath, Albany City Court;
Excellence in Management (100+ staff members) recipient, Fran O'Rourke,
Key Private Bank; Excellence in Management (1-99 staff members) recipi-
ent, Chelly Hegan, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood; Excellence in Busi-
ness recipient, Dawn Abbuhl, Repeat Business Systems; Excellence in
Business Development recipient, Denise Horan, Integrated Management &
Sales Consulting; and Emerging Professional recipient, Meredith Oakes,
The Bank of New York Mellon; and
WHEREAS, These seven remarkable women have exhibited the true spirit
of these auspicious awards through their impressive professional success
and their tireless dedication to both their community and their family;
these remarkable women are helping to shape the future of the residents
of the Capital Region and throughout the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which these seven women have displayed
throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, 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 the Women's Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber of
Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its 25th Annual Women of Excel-
lence Luncheon and honoring this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Women's Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber of
Commerce and the aforementioned honorees.