LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Kayla Babbush, of Merrick, New York,
upon the occasion of her designation as a Distinguished Finalist in the
17th 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, Kayla Babbush has distinguished herself as a young woman of
superlative ability, establishing a high standard of community service,
purposefulness of life, and sense of responsibility rarely achieved in
youthful years; and
WHEREAS, Kayla Babbush, age 17, of Merrick, New York, and a senior at
John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, has achieved national recogni-
tion for exemplary volunteer service by being named a 2012 Prudential
Spirit of Community Distinguished Finalist; 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 a Distinguished Finalist, Kayla Babbush will receive an
engraved bronze medallion; and
WHEREAS, Kayla Babbush is the founder of the Teens for Life organiza-
tion, through which she has coordinated CPR and Automatic External Defi-
brillator (AED) training for more than 1,200 students; and
WHEREAS, Kayla, forever affected by the cardiac arrest and death at
nine years old of her brother's best friend, has also lobbied New York
legislators to one day have CPR training mandated for high school
students; 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 Kayla Babbush, who use
their considerable talents and resources to serve others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Kayla Babbush,
commending her for her outstanding record of volunteer service, peer
leadership, and community service and recognizing the value of her
labors and the promise of her future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, with
praise and pride, to commend Kayla Babbush for her achievements and to
extend to her the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being, fully confident of her response to
the challenges of a promising future and appreciative of the model she
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 Kayla Babbush.