LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Laura Mona upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Paul J. Curran Award for Pro Bono
Service by the Prisoners' Legal Services of New York

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, Laura Mona has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Laura Mona
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Paul J. Curran
Award for Pro Bono Service by the Prisoners' Legal Services of New York;
this momentous occasion was celebrated at its 4th Annual Pro Bono Event
on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at the Albany Barn, Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Paul J. Curran Award for Pro Bono Service was established
in honor of the late Paul J. Curran, who served as the Chairman of Pris-
oners' Legal Services' Board of Directors for more than a decade; this
auspicious award is presented to the volunteer who most embodies a
commitment to defending the rights of incarcerated New Yorkers by
providing pro bono services; and
WHEREAS, Laura Mona earned a bachelor's degree from Rochester Insti-
tute of Technology in 2007; she went on to Albany Law School of Union
University where she graduated magna cum laude in 2012; and
WHEREAS, An Associate with Hiscock & Barclay in its Albany office,
Laura Mona focuses her practice in the areas of Environmental, Energy
and Regulatory Law; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism is an essential element of all societies; it
provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serv-
ing can be sustained and strengthened; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community she so ably serves, Laura Mona
devotes her time to pro bono matters for Prisoners' Legal Services and
the Legal Project's Domestic Violence Program; she is a member of the
NDNY Federal Court Bar Association and the New York State Bar Associ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she is involved in mentoring programs through
Albany Law School, and is an active member of the Hiscock & Barclay's
Women's Forum, where she participates in the Women's Forum Networking
Events throughout the Capital District; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Laura Mona
was selected as a 2013 Empire State Counsel Honoree by the New York
State Bar Association; she received both the National Order of Barris-
ters Award and the Robert A. Barker Award for Service to the Moot Court
Program from Albany Law School in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Laura Mona 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 Laura Mona has displayed throughout
her 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
honor Laura Mona upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of

the Paul J. Curran Award for Pro Bono Service by the Prisoners' Legal
Services of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Laura Mona.