LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Paarth Shah, of Horseheads, New York,
upon the occasion of his designation as a State Honoree in the 16th
Annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the ideals and
values cherished by this great State and nation; and
WHEREAS, Paarth Shah has distinguished himself as a young man of
superlative ability, establishing a high standard of community service,
purposefulness of life, and sense of responsibility rarely achieved in
youthful years; and
WHEREAS, Paarth Shah, age 16, of Horseheads, New York, and a Junior at
Horseheads High School, has achieved national recognition for exemplary
volunteer service by being named a 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community
State Honoree; he was nominated for this high honor by Horseheads High
School; and
WHEREAS, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created in 1995 by
Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of
Secondary School Principals (NASSP), are designed to emphasize the
importance our nation places on service to others, and to encourage all
young Americans to contribute to their communities; and
WHEREAS, As one of only two New York State Honorees, Paarth Shah will
receive a monetary award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to
Washington, D.C., April 30-May 3, 2011, for a series of national recog-
nition events; and
WHEREAS, Paarth Shah raised $23,000 to renovate computer lab facili-
ties at schools in India; during a trip to India with his parents in
2003, Paarth was struck by the level of poverty he saw there; and
WHEREAS, Three years later when he saw TV news reports of flooding in
the town of Surat, Paarth Shah was deeply saddened by the loss of life
and property due to the torrential rains and ravaging waters and every
time he would eat, drink or have fun, the thought of those in Surat
plagued him; and
WHEREAS, Paarth Shah decided to do something to help and recruited two
friends to help him raise money by conducting a penny drive, making
presentations to local businesses and community organizations, and
appealing for donations at local Indian events; and
WHEREAS, As a result of these efforts, Paarth returned to India and
provided funds to renovate computer lab facilities at two schools in
Surat and to install 60 computers, benefiting more than 3,000 students;
and
WHEREAS, He also conducted a workshop for the students on the impor-
tance of community service; and
WHEREAS, Also, while he was in India, Paarth Shah encountered a poor
woman crying in the street because her son had died and she didn't have
the money to cremate him; Paarth is now working to raise enough money to
build a crematorium for the village; and
WHEREAS, The success of the State of New York, the strength of our
communities, and the vitality of American society depend, in great meas-
ure, upon the dedication of young people like Paarth Shah who use their
considerable talents and resources to serve others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Paarth Shah, commend-
ing him for his outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leader-
ship, and community service and recognizing the value of his labors and
the promise of his future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to commend Paarth Shah for his achievements and to
extend to him the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being, fully confident of his response to
the challenges of a promising future and appreciative of the model he
represents for all young people of the Empire State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paarth Shah.