LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Katherine Spawton upon the occa-
sion of receiving the distinguished Girl Scout Gold Award, the most
prestigious of Girl Scouting honors, on May 17, 2009

WHEREAS, Katherine Spawton, of Victor, New York, through her diligence
and rigorous efforts, has achieved Girl Scouting's highest and most
prestigious honor, the Girl Scout Gold Award; and
WHEREAS, Girl Scouts - Seven Lakes Council, headquartered in Phelps,
New York, will honor Katherine Spawton at a special Young Women of
Distinction event to be held at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen on
Sunday, May 17, 2009; and
WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and
WHEREAS, Girl Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to the
development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation; and
WHEREAS, Since 1980, Senior Girl Scouts have capped their years of
achievement in Girl Scouting with the Girl Scout Gold Award; and
WHEREAS, In order to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a girl must
fulfill five requirements; chief among them is the design and completion
of a Gold Award Project which must build upon the interests of the girl,
provide a service to the community, and be of lasting benefit; and
WHEREAS, For her Gold Award Project, entitled Japanese Sensory Garden,
Katherine Spawton led a large group of supportive volunteers in the
creation of a Japanese themed garden on the grounds outside Farmington
Town Hall; and
WHEREAS, Through hours of research and organization, she incorporated
the essential elements of a Japanese garden: symmetry, water, the arch
and large rocks symbolizing different ideas and energies, and also
selected a variety of 13 Japanese plants to include in the garden; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding young woman has been involved in Scouting
for years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of the
necessary achievements; and
WHEREAS, Katherine Spawton is a credit to her family, her school, her
community, her State and her Nation, and no doubt her future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor Katherine Spawton upon the occasion of her desig-
nation as the recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Katherine Spawton.