LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner
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 Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner 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, Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner, along with
over 400 other students from across New York State traveled to Coopers-
town 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, Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner won third place for their
Junior Group Exhibit, David Ben-Gurion: Father of Israel; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, Thomas
Beauchemin and Dan Weiner now stand honorably, with just pride in their
accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, under-
standing 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 Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner 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 Thomas Beauchemin and Dan Weiner.