LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Southern Cayuga Central School
District upon the occasion of hosting its End of Year Celebration on
June 12, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exem-
plary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate the pursuit of
excellence in education and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the Southern Cayuga Central School District upon the occasion of
hosting its End of Year Celebration featuring guest speaker Rhonda Fink
Whitman author of 94 MAIDENS, on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the South-
ern Cayuga High School Auditorium; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Cayuga Central School District is one of 11
United States sites with the honor and privilege of nurturing the Anne
Frank horse chestnut sapling, a direct descendent of the tree that Anne
Frank wrote about in her famous diaries during the Holocaust of the
Second World War; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree Project is
to educate and empower children to use their thoughts, words, and deeds
to promote understanding, tolerance, and justice in the world; and
WHEREAS, To this end the Anne Frank Tree will serve as a tangible
symbol and reminder of the impact each human being can have in creating
positive change, improving the quality of life for all members of the
community and society, and in inspiring others; and
WHEREAS, This mission will be executed through the study of history
with the intention of understanding our past, through the education of
the school and community about social justice issues, and the recogni-
tion and promotion of student activism directed at creating a more just
future; and
WHEREAS, The site for the Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree is layered
with references and imagery; the hexagonal shape is the internal shape
of the Star of David, and the use of cobblestone refers to the streets
of Europe; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, surrounding the cobblestone are 11 boulders
representing the number of Anne Frank Trees given to the United States;
in addition to the use of specific materials and shapes, the dimensions
of the site have been carefully considered, referencing the number 18
because of its significance in Jewish culture; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
congratulate the Southern Cayuga Central School District upon the occa-
sion of hosting its End of Year Celebration on June 12, 2014; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Southern Cayuga Central School District.