LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Pamela Nichols upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of The Heart of Business Award, to be cele-
brated at the Stakeholders' 2014 GOBY Awards Ceremony on April 23, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
the dedicated efforts of those individuals and organizations from across
the State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service
to the community; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism is an essential element of all societies; it
provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serv-
ing can be sustained and strengthened; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Pamela Nichols
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of The Heart of Busi-
ness Award to be celebrated at the Stakeholders' 2014 GOBY Awards Cere-
mony on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at the GE Theatre at Proctors, Sche-
nectady, New York; and
WHEREAS, The GOBY Awards (Get on Board Volunteer Awards) recognize
companies, organizations and individuals who have provided exemplary
volunteer services in New York's Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Fordham University and Albany Law School, Pame-
la Nichols is a personal injury attorney and managing partner of the
Albany law firm O'Connell and Aronowitz; her practice focuses on repres-
enting individuals, and especially young children, in complex personal
injury, professional negligence and product liability cases; and
WHEREAS, A driving force in obtaining many significant verdicts and
settlements in difficult cases involving the negligent care and treat-
ment of abused children, Pamela Nichols is a stalwart defender of the
rights of young people and their families; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman's commitment to enhancing her community
is exemplified in her participation with The Injury Board, an organiza-
tion of personal injury attorneys who volunteer their time and energies
helping people avoid harm and making sure injured persons receive the
assistance they need; her efforts as part of this group have laid the
ground work for a novel prevention program aimed at teenagers; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Pamela Nichols joined forces with The Casey Feldman
Foundation and EndDD.org to take part in the National Distracted Driving
Awareness Month, an initiative to help keep high school students safe on
the road; her presentations in local schools received such a positive
response that the program was expanded to the full academic year; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to Pamela Nichols and the tremendous contributions of
her eight staff attorneys at O'Connell and Aronowitz, EndDD presenta-
tions have been given to 4,700 students in a 10 county area of Upstate
New York; furthermore, many local libraries now host this vital program
for the benefit of adults in the community; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the
New York State Partnership for Teen Driving Safety have chosen to detail
Pamela Nichols' work for other statewide programs which seek to maintain
the health and safety of teenagers in the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband and two daughters,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism promotes family and community solidarity; most
importantly, people who give of their time in civic and charitable
endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the

recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Pamela Nichols upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of The Heart of Business Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pamela Nichols.