LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and
David Krouskoff of Felix V. Festa Middle School upon the occasion of
receiving a Top Ranking in the New York State 2009 National History Day
competition

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 Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krouskoff 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, Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krous-
koff, 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
topics' 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 into 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, Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krouskoff won second
place for their Junior Group Documentary, "Simon Wiesenthal: In the
Pursuit of Justice"; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, Sam
Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krouskoff now stand honorably, with just
pride in their accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future chal-
lenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support
provided by their teachers, coaches and parents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krouskoff 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 be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sam Askenas, Greg Bricker and David Krouskoff.