LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Michael Gabriel Matos upon the
occasion of receiving the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout, the most
prestigious of Scouting honors, on June 19, 2010

WHEREAS, Michael Gabriel Matos, through his diligence and rigorous
efforts, has achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious rank,
Eagle Scout; the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony will be held on Saturday,
June 19, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Michael Gabriel Matos of Newburgh, is a member of Boy Scouts
of America Troop 205 in New Windsor, New York, where his father, Peter
J. Matos, is the Assistant Scoutmaster; and
WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and
WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to
the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation;
and
WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned by
only five percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of Eagle
Scout; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting for
many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of
the necessary achievements, including completion of a community service
project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed; and
WHEREAS, Michael's Eagle Scout project was done from his heart; when
the Archdiocese of New York announced that his parish church, St. Mary's
in Newburgh, was on a closure list he was 14 and decided to do his Eagle
project for the parish because he believed that if the youth of a parish
were involved the Archdiocese would see that the parish is alive and
would not close the church; and
WHEREAS, The project was rather involved and took approximately 400
man hours; Michael spoke at every mass, as well as at the local Knights
of Columbus and raised approximately $1,100 for his project; he also
received donations of plants from four local nurseries and when he accu-
mulated the needed material, he led a team over six weekends and planted
three large gardens to beautify the church grounds; he also erected
approximately 70 linear feet of wooden fencing and sanded and repainted
over 100 linear feet of existing fencing; and
WHEREAS, About a year into the project it was announced that Archbish-
op Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee was taking over as the head of the Arch-
diocese of New York; Michael wrote to Archbishop Dolan about the plight
of his parish and sent the letter and copy of his project write up with
pictures to Archbishop Dolan while he was still in Milwaukee; Archbishop
Dolan wrote back acknowledging Michael for calling his attention to St.
Mary's plight and, approximately two years since Michael started the
project, St. Mary's is still open; and
WHEREAS, Michael Gabriel Matos' perseverance in rising through the
ranks to Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master
difficult tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a lead-
er, fully equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex society;
and
WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school,
his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor Michael Gabriel Matos on achieving the rank of
Eagle Scout; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Gabriel Matos.