Senate Resolution No. 820

BY: Senator RHOADS

CONGRATULATING Melody Hong upon the occasion of
achieving a distinguished top national ranking in
the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the young
adults of today and leaders of tomorrow whose character and achievements
best exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and
Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Melody Hong upon the occasion of achieving a distinguished
top national ranking in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search; she
was honored at an award ceremony at the National Building Museum in
Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Melody Hong, a student at MacArthur High School, placed
sixth out of 40 finalists at the 84th Annual Regeneron Science Talent
Search for her incredible work developing a powerful, flexible
statistical model for mapping sites called trans-methylation
quantitative trait loci (trans-mQTL) within the human genome; and

WHEREAS, The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides a national
platform for high school seniors to showcase original, innovative
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) research that proposes
novel solutions to real-world issues; and

WHEREAS, The competition celebrates and rewards young innovators who
are applying their STEM talent and leadership skills to push the
boundaries of discovery and address today's pressing challenges;
finalists are evaluated for their scientific rigor, originality,
critical thinking, leadership potential and commitment to drive
meaningful impact across crucial STEM fields; and

WHEREAS, The research Melody Hong conducted, along with her
invaluable findings, will have an enduring impact on the field of
genetics for decades to come, and will undoubtedly positively impact
countless residents of New York State and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Melody Hong has distinguished herself as a young woman of
superlative ability, talent, and maturity, establishing standards of
excellence and achievement, purposefulness of life, and responsibility
rarely achieved in youthful years; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Melody Hong, an
excellent scholar and caring individual, recognizing the value of her
labors and the promise of her future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Melody Hong upon the occasion of achieving a distinguished
top national ranking in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Melody Hong.