LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Kaitlin Hawayek of East Aurora,
New York, and her partner Jean-Luc Baker of Edmonds, Washington, upon
the occasion of capturing the Gold Medal in Ice Dance at the Interna-
tional Skating Union World Junior Figure Skating Championships

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Kaitlin
Hawayek of East Aurora, New York, and her partner Jean-Luc Baker of
Edmonds, Washington, upon the occasion of capturing the Gold Medal in
Ice Dance at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Sofia,
Bulgaria on Friday, March 14, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker competed against 179 of
the best junior ice skaters from across the world to take the top prize
at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships; in an outstanding
performance, they upset the defending Grand Prix champions in the short
dance round, and held off a strong challenge in free dance to win first
place; and
WHEREAS, Utilizing their tremendous athleticism and grace, this
remarkable pair executed difficult lifts and spins and were the only
team to collect four out of five elements, winning the event with a
personal best score of 157.12; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Jon and Kirstin Hawayek, Kaitlin Hawayek has
been skating since she was four years old; she has dedicated her life to
training to be the best in her sport, spending countless hours practic-
ing ballet, ballroom dancing, yoga, and other forms of strength and
conditioning; and
WHEREAS, Focused on their goal of winning the Championship, Kaitlin
Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker consistently displayed their work ethic and
drive; they won the Silver Medal at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, and
posted the highest placement for a team from the United States in five
years; in addition, they won the title of United States Junior Dance
Champions in January 2014; and
WHEREAS, Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker were loyally and enthusi-
astically supported by family, fans, friends and the community at large;
and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker have clearly
shown a spirit of excellence which is a hallmark of their team; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Kaitlin Hawayek and her partner Jean-Luc Baker upon the
occasion of capturing the Gold Medal in Ice Dance at the International
Skating Union World Junior Figure Skating Championships; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker.