LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Malawa D. Johnson upon the occasion of
her designation as the recipient of Madison Square Boys & Girls Club's
2009 Youth of the Year Award

WHEREAS, It is always with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
takes note of and publicly acknowledges 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
and commend Malawa D. Johnson, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club's 2009
Youth of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Malawa D. Johnson proudly represented Madison Square Boys &
Girls Club, its Navy Yard Clubhouse, and her Brooklyn community at the
New York State Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs' 2009 Youth of the Year
Legislative Luncheon held on the 3rd Floor Terrace of the Legislative
Office Building in Albany, New York, on June 2, 2009; and
WHEREAS, This celebration recognizes youths from around the Empire
State who have demonstrated sound character, leadership skills, academic
achievement, outstanding service to Club and community, and strength and
perseverance in overcoming obstacles and have been designated as the
Youth of the Year by their home Boys & Girls Club; and
WHEREAS, Youth of the Year is a yearlong Boys & Girls Clubs of America
character and leadership development program; it promotes and celebrates
young people's service to Clubs, community, and family; academic
performance; spiritual values; life goals and poise and public speaking
ability; and
WHEREAS, Seventeen-year-old Malawa Johnson, a student at Benjamin
Banneker Academy, has been a member of Madison Square Boys & Girls
Club's Navy Yard Clubhouse on Nassau Street in Brooklyn for nearly three
years; in addition to the Youth of the Year Program, she has partic-
ipated in the club's Keystone Club, Project Graduate, Job Readiness
Training, Youth Empowerment Program and Teen Summit; she has also
participated in many of the Club's community service projects and been a
Volunteer Tutor and Volunteer Recreation Assistant; and
WHEREAS, The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club has profoundly affected
Malawa Johnson and she has, in turn, expressed her appreciation for the
opportunity to participate in its many programs, for inspiring her to do
her best, and for nurturing her and helping to shape her character; and
WHEREAS, A role model for her peers, Malawa Johnson has distinguished
herself as a young woman of superlative ability, establishing a purpose-
fulness of life rarely achieved in youthful years; poised eagerly with
enthusiasm and determined purpose, she looks forward to earning a degree
in forensic pathology and to becoming an FBI Field Agent; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the value of their labors and the promise of
their future, it is the sense of this Legislative Body that when young
people 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 Malawa D. Johnson upon the occasion of her designation as the
recipient of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club's 2009 Youth of the
Year Award and to wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Malawa D. Johnson.