LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gabi Im and Lauren Lee of Felix V.
Festa Middle School upon the occasion of receiving a Top Ranking in the
2009 New York State and national National History Day competitions

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those young people who have inspired and brought pride to our
majestic Empire State by achieving outstanding success in educational
competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Gabi Im and Lauren Lee of Felix V. Festa Middle School upon the
occasion of receiving a Top Ranking in the New York State 2009 National
History Day competition; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 2009, Gabi Im and Lauren Lee, along with over 400
other students from across New York State traveled to Cooperstown to
take part in New York State History Day; and
WHEREAS, National History Day, a federally recognized educational
program sponsored in New York by the New York State Historical Associ-
ation, encourages students grades six-12 to explore local, state,
national and world history; after selecting a historical topic that
relates to an annual theme, students conduct extensive research by using
libraries, archives and museums, and oral history interviews; they also
analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their
topic's significance in history, and create final projects that present
their work; and
WHEREAS, These particular projects which include historical papers,
documentaries, performances, tabletop exhibits, and websites can be
entered in a series of competitions, from the local to the national
level, where they are evaluated by professional historians and educa-
tors; in order to participate in the state contest, students achieved
top scores at earlier school and regional contests; and
WHEREAS, Gabi Im and Lauren Lee won first place for their Junior Group
Performance in the World War II history category, Douglas MacArthur; and
WHEREAS, These outstanding students from West Nyack, New York, went on
to earn, in addition, sixth place for their Douglas MacArthur project in
the National History Day national contest held June 14-18, 2009, at the
University of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, Gabi
Im and Lauren Lee now stand honorably, with just pride in their accom-
plishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding
and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by their teach-
ers, coaches and parents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gabi Im and Lauren Lee of Felix V. Festa Middle School upon
the occasion of receiving a Top Ranking in the New York State 2009
National History Day competition and sixth place in the national
contest; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gabi Im and Lauren Lee.