Assembly Resolution No. 1071

BY: M. of A. Jaffee

CONGRATULATING students from Rockland County upon
the occasion of participating in the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Oratory Contest

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend and
pay tribute to those young people who, by achieving outstanding success
in oratory contests, have inspired and brought pride to our majestic
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is the further sense of this Legislative Body to commend
intellectual achievements and pay special recognition to those who
embrace Dr. King's legacy of peace and brotherhood among all people; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate students from Rockland County upon the occasion of
participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest; and

WHEREAS, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest is held
annually during Black History Month; the contest was established over
five years ago by Reverend Earl S. Miller, a former chair of the Nyack
Center's Black History Celebration; and

WHEREAS, Rockland County students age 13-20 are encouraged to apply
to this oratory contest to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s
legacy; students choose a famous speech, sermon, or letter written by
Dr. King to deliver to a panel of judges on the evening of the contest;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the tremendous amount of
hard work students involved in the contest put in to prepare their
renditions of Dr. King's speeches; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose,
these students now stands honorably, with just pride in their
accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the winners of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest:
First Place, Dariana Almonte; Second Place, Nia Gabrielle Spann; and
Third Place, Stephen Shaji; and special acknowledgment shall be made to
all participants, including: Anijah Smith, Aurelie Jean Francios, Daveed
Saguay, Djazmina Jean-Pierre, Jason Adelson, Jimna Aurelus, Kara Philip,
Norma D. St Hubert, Sheonnette Thompson, and Srinath Kurup; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the aforementioned students.