LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Christopher Lam upon the occasion of
his designation as a State Honoree in the 15th Annual Prudential Spirit
of Community Awards program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the ideals and
values cherished by this great State and nation; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Lam has distinguished himself as a young man of
superlative ability, establishing a high standard of community service,
purposefulness of life, and sense of responsibility rarely achieved in
youthful years; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Lam, 17, of Old Westbury, New York, and a senior
at Jericho High School in Jericho, has achieved national recognition for
exemplary volunteer service by being named a 2010 Prudential Spirit of
Community State Honoree; he was nominated for this high honor by his
school; and
WHEREAS, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created in 1995 by
Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of
Secondary School Principals (NASSP), are designed to emphasize the
importance our nation places on service to others, and to encourage all
young Americans to contribute to their communities; and
WHEREAS, As one of only two New York State Honorees, Christopher Lam
will receive a monetary award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip
to Washington, D.C., May 1-4, 2010, for a series of national recognition
events; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Lam co-founded and leads an international pen pal
program that provides emotional and financial support to children
stricken or orphaned by AIDS in China's impoverished Henan Province; and
WHEREAS, While volunteering at a Manhattan hospital in 2007, Christo-
pher heard about an AIDS epidemic in Henan caused by the widespread
distribution of tainted blood, resulting in huge numbers of AIDS orphans
and HIV-positive children; he further discovered, after some research,
that these children received very little help and decided to offer his;
and
WHEREAS, Christopher convened a committee of two medical professionals
and three other students to help plan what became the "China AIDS Inter-
national Pen Pal Program"; Christopher and his committee then recruited
high school students, matched them with young pen pals in Henan, solic-
ited donations from individuals and businesses, and hosted tennis party
fundraisers; he also organized a summer trip to China to meet the chil-
dren and distribute backpacks, water bottles, educational software, and
other items; and
WHEREAS, About 400 AIDS/HIV-affected children are now enrolled in the
pen pal program and are receiving services from a children's center in
Henan which Christopher Lam's fundraising supports; and
WHEREAS, The success of the State of New York, the strength of our
communities, and the vitality of American society depend, in great meas-
ure, upon the dedication of young people like Christopher Lam who use
their considerable talents and resources to serve others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Christopher Lam
commending him for his outstanding record of volunteer service, peer
leadership and community service and recognizing the value of his labors
and the promise of his future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to commend Christopher Lam for his achievements and to
extend to him the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of

purposeful success and well-being, fully confident of his response to
the challenges of a promising future and appreciative of the model he
represents for all young people of the Empire State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Christopher Lam.