LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lisa Suarez-Coluccio upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of a 2014 Youth Empowerment Award by the
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary women it wishes to recognize for their valued contrib-
utions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge
their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lisa Suarez-
Coluccio upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a 2014
Youth Empowerment Award by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education
Network, to be celebrated at its 16th Anniversary Gala Celebration, A
Breakfast at Tiffany's GLSEN Formal Affair, on Friday, June 13, 2014, at
the Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1990, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight
Education Network (GLSEN) has worked to assure that each member of every
school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orien-
tation, gender identity, or gender expression; as a local chapter, GLSEN
focuses its efforts on the youth and educators of the eight counties
surrounding the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, GLSEN of the New York Capital Region was founded by educators
in the Capital Region nearly 20 years ago, when they saw the need to
create safe spaces for LGBTQA Youth; this local group became officially
part of The Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network nationally, late in
1997 and was accredited as the New York Capital Region Chapter in 1998;
and
WHEREAS, A resident of Voorheesville, New York, Lisa Suarez-Coluccio
is a Counselor at Shaker Junior High School; she was nominated for this
auspicious award by her Principal Russ Moore, for having helped their
students at Shaker Junior High School to start a Gay Straight Alliance
Club this past school year; and
WHEREAS, With the junior high years being extremely difficult for
kids, Lisa Suarez-Coluccio recognizes the need to assist students with
working through their questions pertaining to sexuality and sexual iden-
tity in a manner that is informative, supportive, non-judgmental and
enlightening; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Lisa Suarez-Coluccio has reached out to GLSEN
for support and inclusive curriculum to help educate the Shaker Junior
High School community; she has since become a resource herself and has
helped other local educators in supporting youth within schools in other
districts; and
WHEREAS, Lisa Suarez-Coluccio has clearly had an enduring impact on
the youth of Shaker Junior High School, as well as on the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for her impres-
sive dedication to others; 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 by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lisa Suarez-Coluccio upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of a 2014 Youth Empowerment Award by the Gay, Lesbian &
Straight Education Network; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lisa Suarez-Coluccio.