LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Raymond Mohler, of Lynbrook, New York,
upon the occasion of his designation as a State Honoree 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, Raymond Mohler has distinguished himself as a young man of
superlative ability, establishing a high standard of community service,
purposefulness of life, and sense of responsibility rarely achieved in
youthful years; and
WHEREAS, Raymond Mohler, age 14, of Lynbrook, New York, and an eighth-
grader at Lynbrook South Middle School, has achieved national recogni-
tion for exemplary volunteer service by being named a 2012 Prudential
Spirit of Community State Honoree; he was nominated for this high honor
by Lynbrook South Middle School; 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 one of only two New York State Honorees, Raymond Mohler
will receive a monetary award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip
to Washington, D.C., May 5 - 8, 2012, for a series of national recogni-
tion events; and
WHEREAS, Raymond Mohler created a foundation to help alleviate the
pain, fear and anxiety felt by young hospital patients by providing toys
and other gifts, arranging celebrity visits and assembling mobile enter-
tainment centers; and
WHEREAS, When Raymond Mohler spent time in the hospital with a rare
hip disease at age 4, he said he felt "tremendous fear and anxiety," but
ended up feeling grateful that he did not have a life-threatening
illness like other young patients he met; he felt bad for the children
he left behind who were not coming home for the holidays and felt he had
to do something to take their minds off the pain that they were in; and
WHEREAS, Raymond Mohler donated his Christmas toys to the kids in the
hospital, and then asked neighbors, friends and relatives for donations
so that he could deliver more to pediatric wards; and
WHEREAS, Soon after, Raymond Mohler, who was born on Christmas Eve,
formed the Little St. Nick Foundation, and with help from his parents
and volunteers, organized a variety of other activities to brighten the
days of hospitalized children; and
WHEREAS, Raymond Mohler recruits sports stars to sign autographs and
take pictures with the kids; he packs gift bags for children in emergen-
cy rooms, and builds TV and DVD units that can be wheeled up to a
child's bed; his foundation also grants wishes, one of which was an
$80,000 home extension for a severely handicapped child; 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 Raymond Mohler who use
their considerable talents and resources to serve others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Raymond Mohler,
commending him for his outstanding record of volunteer service, peer
leadership, and community service and recognizing the value of his
labors and the promise of his future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to commend Raymond Mohler for his achievements and to
extend to him the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being, fully confident of his response to
the challenges of a promising future and appreciative of the model he
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 Raymond Mohler.