LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April
Jenkins, and Momoh Kamara upon the occasion of their designation as
winners of the 2011 Black History Month Essay Contest

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those individ-
uals who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diver-
sity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that the positive
and salutary definition of the communities of the State of New York
remains of unparalleled importance to the discharge of our shared
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, There is no substitute, no alternative to the full implemen-
tation of that prerogative; on the contrary, the safe, sure, and posi-
tive definition of the communities of the State of New York dictates
that the discretionary power inherent in governance be weighed in favor
of that commitment; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Karenna
Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April Jenkins, and Momoh Kamara upon the occa-
sion of their designation as winners of the 2011 Black History Month
Essay Contest; and
WHEREAS, Black American History is highlighted during the month of
February so that there can be formal recognition of the fact that the
history of the United States is a vast mosaic that incorporates the
history of Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Black Americans, as
well as a number of other ethnic and cultural groups; and
WHEREAS, It is extremely important that students, when learning of the
history of the United States, understand that the histories of all its
peoples are important, and that they must be considered together in
order to fully understand our shared heritage; and
WHEREAS, It is also extremely important that our students understand
not only the facts and dates that make American history, but, addi-
tionally, the means by which these facts relate to and impact our lives;
and
WHEREAS, Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April Jenkins, and Momoh
Kamara are the 2011 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners, a contest
which furthers these goals of understanding; and
WHEREAS, Karenna Thomas is a 4th grade strident in Mrs. Kaulder's
class at Children's School of Rochester No. 15; she earned this high
honor for her essay on Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama; and
WHEREAS, Jordyn I. Gross is a 5th grade student in Kamaria Simmons'
class at School No. 58; she earned this high honor for her essay on
Susan Elizabeth Frazier; and
WHEREAS, April Jenkins is a 6th grade student in Mr. Shanley's class
at Flower City School No. 54; she earned this high honor for her essay
on Oprah Winfrey; and
WHEREAS, Momoh Kamara is a 7th grade student at School of the Arts; he
earned this high honor for his essay on Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, These students so clearly mirror those qualities of fortitude
and constancy which define the essence of the Black experience, and that
give to the tenor and matrix of its composition, that indispensable
sense of unity which so distinguishes their families; and
WHEREAS, Through their personal and sustained commitment to Black
History, Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April Jenkins, and Momoh
Kamara have so unselfishly advanced that spirit of united purpose and

shared concern which is the unalterable manifestation of our American
experience; and
WHEREAS, It is their concern for the perception of Black History as a
sharing and united endeavor that recommends Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I.
Gross, April Jenkins, and Momoh Kamara for special commendation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and
most joyously commend Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April Jenkins,
and Momoh Kamara upon the occasion of their designation as winners of
the 2011 Black History Month Essay Contest, fully confident that such
procedure mirrors our shared commitment to preserve, to enhance, and to
effect that patrimony of freedom, justice and equality which is our
American Heritage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karenna Thomas, Jordyn I. Gross, April Jenkins, and Momoh
Kamara.