LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Bernard and Shirley Handel upon
the occasion of their designation for special recognition as 2009 Hono-
rees by the Community Foundation of Dutchess County

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Bernard and Shirley Handel have given not only of their time
and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership,
and consequently have 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 congratu-
late Bernard and Shirley Handel upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition as 2009 Honorees by the Community Foundation of
Dutchess County; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the
Foundation's 2009 Garden Party, to be held on Sunday, September 13,
2009; and
WHEREAS, The Community Foundation of Dutchess County is celebrating
its 40th anniversary in 2009 with its annual Garden Party in support of
the Foundation's continued efforts to promote philanthropy and charita-
ble giving in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties; and
WHEREAS, The Foundation also provides much needed funding to support
the programs and services of worthy local nonprofit organizations in the
community, and is committed to improving the quality of life in Dutch-
ess, Ulster and Putnam counties; and
WHEREAS, President of Handel Companies and one of the founders of the
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Bernard Handel is a
Trustee and past Chair of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and a member
of the boards of the Dutchess Community College Foundation and Pough-
keepsie Rotary Club; and
WHEREAS, Bernard Handel is also a past board member of the Bardavon
Opera House, American Red Cross and the Association for Senior Citizens;
his professional associations include the New York State Society of
Certified Public Accountants and the International Foundation of Employ-
ee Benefit Plans; and
WHEREAS, A Hudson Valley native of Dutch ancestry dating to the
mid-1600s, Shirley Handel has been a corporate executive fiscal officer
and administrator of pension and health care plans; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Handel has served in a leadership capacity for the
Poughkeepsie Day School and Hudson Valley Philharmonic, as well as serv-
ing on the boards of Planned Parenthood, Dutchess Outreach, Byrdcliffe
Advisory Council, Eleanor Roosevelt at Val-Kill and the Dutchess County
Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, Together, Bernard and Shirley Handel are Trustees of the
Handel Foundation which actively supports a variety of local community
organizations; and
WHEREAS, An inspiration to many of their fellow citizens who are
grateful for all they have given, the Community Foundation of Dutchess
County is honoring Bernard and Shirley Handel for their dedication and
personal contributions to the community; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others and their community which Bernard and Shirley
Handel have displayed throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Bernard and Shirley Handel upon the occasion of their
designation for special recognition by the Community Foundation of
Dutchess County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bernard and Shirley Handel.