Assembly Resolution No. 744

BY: M. of A. Ra

CONGRATULATING Kyra McCreery upon the occasion of
her designation as a Finalist in the Regeneron
Science Talent Search

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

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Kyra McCreery upon the occasion of her designation as a
Finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search; and

WHEREAS, Educational competitions which serve to better prepare our
students for their future participation in the areas of Science and
Technology are worthy of praise and support; and

WHEREAS, The Regeneron Science Talent Search, founded in 1942, is
the country's oldest student research competition and is based in
Westchester County; and

WHEREAS, Kyra McCreery is among 40 finalists nationwide who will
travel to Washington, D.C. in March, where she will compete before
panels of expert judges for more than $1.8 million in total awards; and

WHEREAS, A senior at North Shore High School, Kyra McCreery was
selected from 300 semifinalist scholars and a total applicant pool of
nearly 2,000; and

WHEREAS, Kyra McCreery's project was entitled, "Associations between
the slowdown in North Atlantic tropical-cyclone translation: Speed and
intensifying storm precipitation," and explored the impact of climate
change on the trajectory and nature of North Atlantic hurricanes; and

WHEREAS, With a passion for environmental science, Kyra McCreery
spent months looking at a dataset of 1,857 tropical storms occurring in
North American and the Caribbean, dating from 1850 to 2016, with the
guidance of her mentor, Dr. Upmanu Lall, Chair of Columbia University's
Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Through her extensive research, Kyra McCreery noticed a
meaningful slowdown in the speed in which hurricanes move over land once
transitioning from the ocean; this can have serious repercussions due to
the increase in the precipitation falling from lingering storms, thus
opening up the possibility of increased environmental damage; and

WHEREAS, In conclusion, Kyra McCreery's chief hypothesis states this
phenomena is due to the slowing down of air circulating in the
mid-Atlantic due to human-imposed climate change; and

WHEREAS, Kyra McCreery, a truly incredible and brilliant young
woman, plans to continue her education and major in the STEM field; and


WHEREAS, In achieving this high academic honor, 17-year-old Kyra
McCreery takes just pride in the inspiration and contribution to the
spirit of excellence she brings to her family, friends, community and
school; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in her accomplishments and
in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and
appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by her teachers,
coaches and parents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Kyra McCreery upon the occasion of her designation as a
Finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kyra McCreery.