LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Tom McDonnell, founder of the Enlight-
enment Literary Arts Center, for his distinguished service to the South
Buffalo Community

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Tom McDonnell has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Tom McDon-
nell, founder of the Enlightenment Literary Arts Center, for his distin-
guished service to the South Buffalo Community; and
WHEREAS, Enlightenment Literary Arts Center of South Buffalo, New York
was established in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Tom McDonnell founded the organization with a mission to
provide programs designed to develop life skills through reading with
encouragement, facilitation, and education, while cultivating and
supporting the reading and writing process; and
WHEREAS, Enlightenment Literacy Arts Center enhances the community by
providing reading programs for children of all ages, as well as facili-
tating book clubs for adults and family literacy nights for parents and
children to bond and learn together; and
WHEREAS, Truly committed to the South Buffalo Community, Tom McDonnell
uses his own car and resources to deliver books to homebound individ-
uals; these books are carefully chosen based on each person's likes and
dislikes, and children's books are thoughtfully included for those with
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Enlightenment Literacy Arts Center works in conjunction with
schools, community programs, and centers to provide new and used books,
creating a community of life-long readers in South Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the much needed repair of the building which
is now home to the Enlightenment Literary Arts Center, Tom McDonnell and
his exemplary organization have been instrumental in uniting the commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Tom McDonnell has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Tom McDonnell has displayed through-
out his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tom McDonnell, founder of the Enlightenment Literary Arts
Center, for his distinguished service to the South Buffalo Community;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tom McDonnell.