LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Somaly Mam upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition as Honoree by My Sisters' Place

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Somaly Mam upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition as Honoree by My Sisters' Place; this auspicious occasion will be
celebrated at the organization's 2010 Spring Benefit, to be held on
Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Ritz Carlton Westchester in White
Plains, New York; and
WHEREAS, My Sisters' Place (MSP) strives to engage each member of
society to work to end domestic violence so that all relationships can
embrace the principles of respect, equality, and peacefulness; since
1978 it has advanced this mission in Westchester County and the
surrounding region through advocacy, community education, and services
to those harmed by domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Through advocacy, MSP acts as a force for social change in
law and public policy; through community education, it challenges public
perceptions of intimate violence and the social inequities that give
rise to it, and promotes prevention with a special emphasis on youth;
and through direct services, it supports the abused, primarily women and
their children, in seeking safety, self-determination, and justice; and
WHEREAS, For more than 32 years, MSP has worked to end violence in
intimate relationships and combat the effects of domestic violence and
human trafficking on survivors and children throughout Westchester Coun-
ty; it is a cutting edge leader and resource in the field of domestic
violence and human trafficking advocacy, shelter and legal services, and
education and prevention; and
WHEREAS, MSP brings a holistic approach to addressing the many and
varied needs of domestic violence survivors and the root causes of fami-
ly violence, which is the use or threat of force by one person in any
intimate relationship to dominate and control the other person; and
WHEREAS, Born to a tribal minority family in the Mondulkiri province
of Cambodia, Somaly Mam began life in extreme poverty; with limited
options as a member of a severely marginalized ethnic group, and unimag-
inable despair, her family often resorted to desperate means to survive
which led to unspeakable horrors in her early years, including being
sold into sexual slavery; and
WHEREAS, Somaly Mam heroically escaped her captors and set about
building a new life for herself, vowing never to forget those left
behind; she has since dedicated her life to saving victims and empower-
ing survivors; and
WHEREAS, With the launch of The Somaly Mam Foundation in 2007, she
established a funding vehicle to support anti-trafficking organizations
and provide victims a platform from which their voices can be heard
around the world; for her tireless efforts, she has justifiably garnered
world-wide respect and is a now a renowned leader at the forefront of
the anti-trafficking struggle; and

WHEREAS, Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, digni-
ty, ingenuity, and resilience, Somaly Mam was honored as one of TIME
MAGAZINE's 100 Most Influential People of 2009; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Somaly Mam has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the respect
and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Somaly Mam has displayed throughout
her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Somaly Mam upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition as Honoree by My Sisters' Place; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Somaly Mam.