LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring 12-year-old Jon Thomas Robertson upon
the occasion of his designation for special recognition

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 for their peers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
12-year-old Jon Thomas Robertson upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, A seventh-grader at Cuba-Rushford Central School, Jon Thomas
"JT" Robertson has appeared on the April 2007 cover of USA WEEKEND as a
2006 Make a Difference Day (MAD) honoree, complete with a significant
Paul Newman MAD award, one of just ten gifts given each year; then,
while appearing on "Good Morning America", he was surprised by his hero,
Ty Pennington, plus Paige Hennis and Michael Moloney from "Extreme Make-
over-Home Edition", all there to help him realize a big 2008 dream; and
WHEREAS, Finally, JT Robertson has managed to pull off a feat some
believed nearly impossible; his mission was to make the historic Arcade
& Attica Railroad train station in Arcade, New York, wheelchair accessi-
ble while maintaining its historic essence and accreditation; JT may be
a seventh-grader, but he possesses the spirit, determination, wisdom and
heart of a seasoned sage; and
WHEREAS, It was the heartfelt letter and video his mother, Monica
Simons, sent to the popular ABC program that finally took JT's life-long
dream of taking peers on a train ride to a whole new level, capturing
the attention and admiration of the nation; this enterprising young man
knows all about living frugally, and his dreams have been years in the
making and have survived several setbacks; and
WHEREAS, JT Robertson's involvement with the Stone's Buddies Program
at Women's & Children's Hospital of Buffalo has helped inspire his work;
Stone was a young boy who died from cancer at age four, but not before
using his voice to help raise money to help other kids and teens facing
life-threatening illness; after his death, Stone's parents expanded
their son's dream and began a free, on-going support program in his
honor; thousands of kids have since benefited from Stone's Buddies, and
its impact on JT's life and advocacy has been powerful and long lasting;
and
WHEREAS, In 2006, JT Robertson and his eight-year-old friend, Joshua
Tsujmoto (aka Josh), who JT's mom calls the "unsung hero" of this
effort, raised enough soda-can money to provide tickets for 84 kids and
44 adults; In 2007, 422 kids and adults took rides, but when those using
wheelchairs couldn't ride due to accessibility issues with the
100-year-old cars, JT was devastated, and then got busy expanding his
mission; and
WHEREAS, Sometime later, "Good Morning America" had one big surprise
for a small-town boy with a huge heart, an on-air interview that
included a surprise meeting with Ty Pennington, Paige Hennis and Michael
Moloney, and key members of the "Extreme Makeover-Home Edition" team;
they answered Monica Simons' call on behalf of her son to address train
accessibility; and
WHEREAS, Paige Hennis and Michael Moloney had just three days in their
hectic schedules to repaint the station, hang new signs, and make two
baggage cars handicapped accessible for sixteen wheelchairs; JT wasn't
allowed to see any of the progress until it was revealed on September
26, 2008; after seeing the changes, he was overjoyed, especially when he

realized that his good friend from Stone's Buddies, Ian Cameron, and
others using wheelchairs, could take their first ride in the newly
accessible Arcade & Attica Railroad baggage cars; and
WHEREAS, JT Robertson raised his goals and set sites on MAD Day, Octo-
ber 25, 2008, complete with rides; his mother had already sent a letter
and video to Ty Pennington asking for help in making her son's dream
come true; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his mother, Monica, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and
WHEREAS, JT Robertson has shown there are significant ways you can
make a difference in the lives of others; this occasion presents an
opportunity for this Legislative Body to wish JT Robertson continued
success throughout his school years and beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor 12-year-old Jon Thomas Robertson upon the occasion of his desig-
nation for special recognition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jon Thomas Robertson.