Assembly Resolution No. 714

BY: M. of A. Walter

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
commemorate February 14, 2018, the 20th Annual
Hunter's Hope Foundation Day of Hope and Prayer for
Children in the State of New York, in conjuction
with their annual day to raise awareness and support
for Leukodystrophies

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life for children in the communities across this great
State of New York is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of
those organizations and individuals of distinction whose singular
purpose is the care and welfare of children; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to proclaim Hunter Kelly's
birthday, February 14th, as the 20th Annual Hunter's Hope Foundation Day
of Hope and Prayer for Children in the State of New York; on Saturday,
February 10, 2018, Hunter's Hope will host a day of activities and
celebration for local families at the ADPRO Sports Training Center; and

WHEREAS, The Hunter's Hope Foundation was established in 1997, by
Professional Football Hall of Fame member and former Buffalo Bills
quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his wife, Jill, in honor of their son Hunter
(2/14/97-8/5/05) who was diagnosed with Globoid-Cell Leukodystrophy,
more commonly known as Krabbe Disease; and

WHEREAS, The Kellys started Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for
Children on February 14, 1998, to celebrate the shared Valentine's Day
birthday of their son, Hunter James Kelly with his father, Jim Kelly;
and

WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly was born on February 14, 1997, and four months
following his birth, was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an
inherited, fatal, nervous system disease; and

WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly lived to be eight and a half years old, and
lost his life to Krabbe Disease on August 5, 2005; the Kellys have
continued with Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children as a
celebration of love, prayer and thanksgiving for all children
everywhere; and

WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a special
time for families to come together and spend time having fun while
enjoying music, dancing, games, face painting, and refreshments; at the
conclusion of the event, there is a special time of prayer for all
children; and

WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a free
event open to people of all ages, races and walks of life; the
celebration has continued successfully for 20 years and continues to
have dozens of sponsors throughout the Western New York Community; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the event has welcomed approximately 4,000
children and parents annually and has been held in the ADPRO Sports
Training Center; and

WHEREAS, The Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children fulfills
one of the primary goals of Hunter's Hope, to remind parents how blessed
they are to have the gift of children; and

WHEREAS, Jill and Jim Kelly hope that through sharing Hunter's
story, they inspire in parents an appreciation of all children and
thankfulness for these precious gifts of life; and

WHEREAS, Hunter's Hope Foundation is the Kellys lifelong commitment
to increase public awareness of Krabbe Disease and other
Leukodystrophies thus increasing the probability of early detection and
treatment; to gather and provide current, functional information and
service linkages to families of children with Leukodystrophies; to fund
research efforts that will identify new treatments, therapies and
ultimately, a cure for Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies; and to
establish an alliance of hope that will nourish, affirm and confront the
urgent need for medical, financial and emotional support of family
members and those afflicted with Leukodystrophies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to commemorate February 14, 2018,
the 20th Annual Hunter's Hope Foundation Day of Hope and Prayer for
Children in the State of New York, in conjuction with their annual day
to raise awareness and support for Leukodystrophies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Hunter's Hope Foundation, Orchard Park, New York.