LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker,
and Roiqueita Johns upon the occasion of their designation as winners of
the 2010 Black History Month Essay Contest

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those individ-
uals who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diver-
sity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that the positive
and salutary definition of the communities of the State of New York
remains of unparalleled importance to the discharge of our shared
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, There is no substitute, no alternative to the full implemen-
tation of that prerogative; on the contrary, the safe, sure, and posi-
tive definition of the communities of the State of New York dictates
that the discretionary power inherent in governance be weighed in favor
of that commitment; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jessica
Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns upon the occasion of
their designation as winners of the 2010 Black History Month Essay
Contest; and
WHEREAS, Black American History is highlighted during the month of
February so that there can be formal recognition of the fact that the
history of the United States is a vast mosaic that incorporates the
history of Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Black Americans, as
well as a number of other ethnic and cultural groups; and
WHEREAS, It is extremely important that students, when learning of the
history of the United States, understand that the histories of all its
peoples are important, and that they must be considered together in
order to fully understand our shared heritage; and
WHEREAS, It is also extremely important that our students understand
not only the facts and dates that make American history, but, addi-
tionally, the means by which these facts relate to and impact our lives;
and
WHEREAS, Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns are
the 2010 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners, a contest which
furthers these goals of understanding; and
WHEREAS, Jessica Grace is a 4th grade student in Mr. Hill's class at
School No. 9; she earned this high honor for her essay on Ruby Bridges;
and
WHEREAS, Christopher Thacker is a 5th grade student in Mrs. Morales-
Kakuda's class at School No. 17; he earned this high honor for his essay
on The Origins of Slavery in America; and
WHEREAS, Roiqueita Johns is a 6th grade student in Mrs. Nielander's
class at School No. 9; she earned this high honor for her essay on Mr.
and Mrs. Dorsey; and
WHEREAS, These students so clearly mirror those qualities of fortitude
and constancy which define the essence of the Black experience, and that
give to the tenor and matrix of its composition, that indispensable
sense of unity which so distinguishes their families; and
WHEREAS, Through their personal and sustained commitment to Black
History, Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns have so
unselfishly advanced that spirit of united purpose and shared concern
which is the unalterable manifestation of our American experience; and
WHEREAS, It is their concern for the perception of Black History as a
sharing and united endeavor that recommends Jessica Grace, Christopher

Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns for special commendation; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and
most joyously commend Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita
Johns upon the occasion of their designation as winners of the 2010
Black History Month Essay Contest, fully confident that such procedure
mirrors our shared commitment to preserve, to enhance, and to effect
that patrimony of freedom, justice and equality which is our American
Heritage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns.