Senate Resolution No. 1306

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Nora Lum upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Outstanding Young
Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni
Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Nora Lum upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni
Association to be celebrated with a Gala on May 4, 2019, at Wolfert's
Roost, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award recognizes early outstanding
achievements in a chosen profession or field and/or service to the
community; and

WHEREAS, Nora Lum earned notoriety as the first Asian female rapper,
Awkwafina, when her self-produced music video went viral on YouTube in
2012; she wrote the lyrics in her dorm room while a student at the
University at Albany (UAlbany) a few years earlier, a time when only
close friends knew of her alter ego; and

WHEREAS, Today, Nora Lum is renowned as Awkwafina, a comedian,
television host, movie star, and perhaps most importantly, an
inspiration for girls and young women all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Born in Queens, New York, to a Chinese-American father and
South Korean immigrant mother, Nora Lum's paternal grandmother greatly
influenced her outgoing nature and bold sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, Nora Lum attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of
Music & Art and Performing Arts where she played trumpet and fueled her
love affair with hip hop by writing rap lyrics and recording beats; she
continued to write and record in college, adding stand-up comedy and
personal essay writing to her creative portfolio; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Nora Lum graduated with honors from UAlbany with
bachelor's degrees in journalism and women's studies; and

WHEREAS, Just one year later, Nora Lum's music video went viral and
the self-produced parody of the boastfulness of conventional rap lyrics
garnered millions of views, sparking Awkwafina's status as an Asian
American pop culture phenomenon; and

WHEREAS, The artist's debut album, "Yellow Ranger," appeared in
2014, and in 2016, she was profiled in the Tribeca Film Festival

selection, "Bad Rap," and collaborated with comedian Margaret Cho in the
music video for "Green Tea"; and

WHEREAS, In addition, she co-hosted MTV's weekly late-night talk
show, "Girl Code Live!" and hosted her own web series, "TAWK," on
Verizon's go90.com; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, a breakout year for this extraordinary young
woman, Nora Lum released her second rap album, "In Fina We Trust," and
shined as Constance in the film, "Ocean's Eight"; she stole the show as
the lovable and eccentric Peik Lin Goh in "Crazy Rich Asians," and
hosted iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards and Saturday Night Live; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, The Hollywood Reporter named Awkwafina one of
"Hollywood's Rising Stars 35 and Under"; and

WHEREAS, Nora Lum is the voice of Courtney in "The Angry Birds Movie
2," due to be released in 2019, and is currently filming the sequel to
"Jumanji"; and

WHEREAS, With a deep and abiding love for her alma mater, Nora Lum
visited UAlbany as part of the New York State Writers Institute (NYSWI)
Fall 2017 Visiting Writers series; she spent time with former professors
and held a meet and greet with students, autographing copies of her
recently published travel guide, Awkwafina's New York City; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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 Nora Lum upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni
Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Nora Lum.