LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Wade Family upon the occasion of
their designation as recipient of the 2009 Naomi Silverman Family of the
Year Award by the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Wade Family upon the occasion of their designation as recipient of the
2009 Naomi Silverman Family of the Year Award by the Epilepsy Foundation
of Long Island to be celebrated at its 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Dance, "Casablanca Night", on Friday, April 17, 2009, at Carlyle on the
Green, Bethpage State Park; and
WHEREAS, Zoey Wade is a 15-year-old tenth grade honor student at
Northport High School; she is a member of the varsity swim team at
Northport High School and Grand Friends, a group that routinely visits
the assisted living facilities in the area; and
WHEREAS, Zoey, who was diagnosed with epilepsy, first started having
seizures three years ago; when they happened at school, she would tell
her friends that she was just dehydrated; with the help of family, the
Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island and friends, Zoey overcame her fear
of letting people know she has epilepsy; and
WHEREAS, In November of 2008, Zoey Wade held a "Big Bash for Epilepsy
Awareness" at the Northport American Legion, with more than 150 people
in attendance; she successfully raised a significant amount for the
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Zoey Wade is also a member of the Northport winter
track team; she is a New York State champion swimmer, attaining 1st
place in the YMCA 500 yards freestyle; she has been swimming everyday
since she was seven years old; she is also a member of the Huntington
YMCA Bluefish, and swims for the Centerport Yacht Club; and
WHEREAS, Zoey's mom, Jody, is an equal advocate in her daughter's
fervent ambition to participate in every aspect of life; she has brought
awareness to the YMCA advocating for training for lifeguards; and
WHEREAS, Jody Wade has worked with the community education program at
the Foundation to make sure that lifeguards at the YMCA are qualified
and trained about epilepsy; Jody, who is a Licensed Practical Nurse, is
a patient advocate for the Alzheimer community; and
WHEREAS, Zoey Wade was chosen by the Epilepsy Foundation of America to
represent the Long Island community in Washington, D.C. in the "2009
Kids Speak Up Program"; she and the rest of the Wade family, Jody, Lance
and Dana, traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2009
National Walk and to be trained in grass roots advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Zoey Wade told her personal story to members of Congress on
Capitol Hill, in an effort to effect change in the current state of
health care reform and funding for key epilepsy programs; 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
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Wade Family upon the occasion of their designation as recipi-
ent of the 2009 Naomi Silverman Family of the Year Award by the Epilepsy
Foundation of Long Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Wade Family.