LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ms. Christine Padasak upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Katie's Courage Award by the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of the Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young adults within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body joins the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in
eager anticipation of the day when CF no longer stands for Cystic Fibro-
sis, but for "Cure Found"; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ms.
Christine Padasak upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Katie's Courage Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that
causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body,
particularly the lungs and pancreas; when mucus clogs the lungs, it can
make breathing very difficult, mucus also causes bacteria (or germs) to
get stuck in the airways which causes inflammation (or swelling) and
infections that lead to lung damage; and
WHEREAS, The Katie's Courage Award is named after Katie Ozog, who
passed away from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in 2003 at the age of 22; Katie
Ozog epitomized courage and coordinated multiple fundraising events,
such as a Great Strides walk site and a "Step up for a Cure" race in
Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Katie Ozog was a recipient of a double lung transplant and
competed in the 2002 Transplant Games in Florida; she touched many lives
with her spirit, zest for life, and incredible courage and was a magnif-
icent person and role model for those in the CF community; and
WHEREAS, Born the middle child to Carol and Larry Padask, 22-year old
Christine Padasak was diagnosed with CF at age one; living with CF has
taught her to be more compassionate toward others with disabilities; she
has been working at a preschool and is able to sympathize with the
parents of the students; and
WHEREAS, Since 1990, the Padasak Family has been involved with the CF
Foundation's annual walk-a-thon, Great Strides; each spring their team,
Beaner's Bunch, laces up their sneakers to raise awareness and support
the fight against cystic fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, Christine Padasak graduated from Springville-Griffith Insti-
tute in 2007 and enrolled in SUNY Fredonia that fall majoring in child-
hood education; she has also received scholarships from SolvayCARES and
State Farm Scholarship through the Buffalo Urban League; she works part-
time at Springville Preschool Learning Center, working with handicapped
and autistic children; and
WHEREAS, Besides being a scholar, poet and humanitarian, Christine
Padasak enjoys playing the flute, camping, watching movies and playing
tennis; a runner, she has participated in many 5K races throughout West-
ern New York; and
WHEREAS, Christine Padasak inspires everyone to be involved with the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with her cheerful disposition and positive
outlook; she truly personifies the Katie's Courage Award; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Christine Padasak's distinguished
record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ms. Christine Padasak upon the occasion of her designation as

recipient of the Katie's Courage Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Founda-
tion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ms. Christine Padasak.