Senate Resolution No. 518

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

HONORING Melissa Connolly upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the GO-GETTER AWARD by
the Girl Scouts of Nassau County

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
Melissa Connolly upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the GO-GETTER AWARD by the Girl Scouts of Nassau County to be celebrated
at its 100th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at The Garden
City Hotel, Garden City, New York; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. serves girls and adults
in Nassau County, New York, a suburban community of New York City;
programs and girl-led community service opportunities engage girls in
discovering themselves, connecting with others, and taking action to
make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Kane Connolly is Vice President for University
Relations at Hofstra University, where she is responsible for its
communication, marketing and public relations efforts; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her profession and the community-at-large,
Melissa Connolly chaired Hofstra's 75th Anniversary committee, and
helped lead the University's hosting of the 2016, 2012, and 2008
presidential debates, as well as the 2010 New York State gubernatorial
debate; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Melissa Connolly was named PR Professional of the
Year for an academic institution by PR News, the national publication
for communications professionals; she was also named to Long Island
Business News' "50 Most Influential Women" Hall of Fame as a "40 Rising
Stars Under 40" in 2002, and has been noted as one of the paper's
"Marketing Achievers"; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Melissa Connolly has served the Long Island Women's Agenda as
Vice President and President; additionally, she was a Board Member for
the YMCA of Long Island and the Long Island Visitors and Convention
Bureau, and a Member-at-Large of the Board of Directors for the Girl
Scouts of Nassau County, where she served as a co-chair for their Annual
Awards Luncheon; and

WHEREAS, A longtime Girl Scout leader and school organizer, Melissa
Connolly was a co-founder and founding chair of the Girls Go the
Distance Walkathon; she is also the proud recipient of Girl Scouts of
Nassau County's Honor Pin and Thanks Badge; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her illustrious career at Hofstra University,
Melissa Connolly served as Director of Communications for a New York
State Senator, and as a Director of Marketing for Farrell Fritz, P.C.,
one of Long Island's largest law firms; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Melissa Connolly received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Communication from Hofstra University, where she was a member
of Alpha Epsilon Rho; she went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree
with distinction in Creative Writing in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Melissa Connolly has
displayed throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Melissa Connolly, that future generations may know and appreciate her
admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Melissa Connolly upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the GO-GETTER AWARD by the Girl Scouts of Nassau County; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Melissa Connolly.