LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and
TaShawna Hicks upon the occasion of their designation as winners of the
2014 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 outstand-
ing students who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and TaShawna Hicks upon the occasion
of their designation as winners of the 2014 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 which 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 they must be considered together in order to
fully understand our shared heritage; and
WHEREAS, It is also extremely important our students understand not
only the facts and dates which make American history, but, additionally,
the means by which these facts relate to and impact our lives; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and TaShawna Hicks are the
2014 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners, a contest which furthers
these goals of understanding; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Henderson is a 6th grade student in Mrs. Cowles'
class; he earned this high honor for his essay on Henry "Box" Brown; and
WHEREAS, Aidan Delehanty is a 5th grade student in Ms. Wagner's class;
he earned this high honor for his essay on Dr. Van Tuyl Levy DDS; and
WHEREAS, TaShawna Hicks is a 4th grade student in Mrs. Principe's
class; she earned this high honor for her essay on Bill Cosby; and
WHEREAS, These students so clearly mirror those qualities of fortitude
and constancy which define the essence of the Black experience, and 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, Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and TaShawna Hicks 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 which recommends Arnold Henderson, Aidan
Delehanty, and TaShawna Hicks for special commendation; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and
most joyously commend Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and TaShawna
Hicks upon the occasion of their designation as winners of the 2014
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 Arnold Henderson, Aidan Delehanty, and TaShawna Hicks.