LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Albany High School Theatre Ensem-
ble for receiving a human rights award for its November 2009 production
of "The Laramie Project"

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models to their peers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Albany High School Theatre Ensemble for receiving a human rights
award for its November 2009 production of "The Laramie Project"; and
WHEREAS, The Albany Human Rights Commission presented the Albany High
School Theatre Ensemble with this special award on Tuesday, February 2,
2010, during a reception in the City Hall Rotunda; and
WHEREAS, The performance, "The Laramie Project," focuses on community
reaction to the 1998 beating death of a gay University of Wyoming
student; the Theatre Ensemble earned the award for performing the play
and inspiring a host of community and school forums on the effects of
intolerance and prejudice; and
WHEREAS, In October of 1998, Matthew Shephard was kidnapped, beaten
and tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming; he died in a
hospital nearly a week later and his murder is considered a hate crime
motivated by homophobia; and
WHEREAS, The play, "The Laramie Project," draws on hundreds of inter-
views conducted with the inhabitants of Laramie following Matthew
Shephard's death; a small number of actors portray some 60 different
characters and provide a snapshot of the effects of prejudice on a small
community; and
WHEREAS, With their sense of civic duty and their commitment to
others, the Albany High School Theatre Ensemble represents the best
development of the potential which is inherent in our most precious
resource, our youth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Albany High School Theatre Ensemble for receiving a human
rights award for its November 2009 production of "The Laramie Project";
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ward Dales, Teacher/Director, Albany High School Theatre
Ensemble.