LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Natasha Pernicka upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Young Alumna in Public Adminis-
tration and Policy Award by the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs &
Policy

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, Natasha Pernicka has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Natasha Pern-
icka upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Young
Alumna in Public Administration and Policy Award by the Rockefeller
College of Public Affairs & Policy, to be celebrated at its 2015 Alumni
Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2015, at the New York
State Museum, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy
honors individuals such as Natasha Pernicka, for their outstanding
contributions in the areas of political science, public administration,
leadership, and continuing professional development; and
WHEREAS, Natasha Pernicka received a bachelor's degree from Colorado
State University, and then went on to earn a Master's degree in Public
Administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at
the State University of New York at Albany; in addition, she is a gradu-
ate of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Tech Valley
Program; and
WHEREAS, With over 14 years of experience in the non-profit sector in
program development, fundraising, and strategic planning, Natasha Pern-
icka joined The Food Pantries in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Under Natasha Pernicka's luminous leadership, The Food
Pantries' revenue and support has increased by 57 percent, and budgeted
food funding by 54 percent; and
WHEREAS, Natasha Pernicka was also instrumental in starting a Capital
District food pantry system assessment, and a Barriers to Access project
to better coordinate services, identify gaps in the current system, and
develop new ways to meet the needs of the hungry, as well as the devel-
opment of new partnerships to provide more fresh produce through the
food pantries; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman also serves as a member of several
non-profit organization boards, including CARES, Inc., and the Albany
and Rensselaer County FEMA Emergency Shelter; in addition, Natasha Pern-
icka is a reviewer for the New York State Hunger Prevention and Nutri-
tion Assistance Program grant process through the Regional Food Bank, as
well as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Rockefeller College's
Non-profit Community Engagement Series; and
WHEREAS, In her spare time, Natasha Pernicka enjoys spending time with
her family, making art, gardening and consulting on non-profit projects;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Natasha Pernicka 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 Natasha Pernicka 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
honor Natasha Pernicka upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Young Alumna in Public Administration and Policy Award by the
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Natasha Pernicka.