LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 14, 2013, as Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Chil-
dren in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality of life for children in the communities across this great State
of New York is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals of distinction whose singular purpose is
the care and welfare of children; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to proclaim Hunter Kelly's
birthday, February 14th, as Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children
in the State of New York; on Saturday, February 16, 2013, Hunter's Hope
will host a day of activities and celebration for local families at the
Buffalo Bills Field House; and
WHEREAS, The Hunter's Hope Foundation was established in 1997, by
Professional Football Hall of Fame member and former Buffalo Bills quar-
terback, Jim Kelly, and his wife, Jill, in honor of their son Hunter
(2/14/97-8/5/05) who was diagnosed with Globoid-Cell Leukodystrophy,
more commonly known as Krabbe Disease; and
WHEREAS, The Kellys started Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Chil-
dren on February 14, 1998 to celebrate the shared Valentine's Day birth-
day of their son, Hunter James Kelly with his father, Jim Kelly; and
WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly was born on February 14, 1997, and four months
following his birth, was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an inher-
ited, fatal, nervous system disease; and
WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly lived to be eight and a half years old, and lost
his life to Krabbe Disease on August 5, 2005; the Kellys have continued
with Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children as a celebration of
love, prayer and thanksgiving for all children everywhere; and
WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a special
time for families to come together and spend time having fun while
enjoying music, dancing, games, face painting, and refreshments; at the
conclusion of the event, there is a special time of prayer for all chil-
dren; and
WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a free event
open to people of all ages, races and walks of life; the celebration has
continued successfully for 15 years and continues to have dozens of
sponsors throughout the Western New York Community; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, the event has welcomed approximately 4,000
children and parents annually and has been held in the Buffalo Bills
Healthy Zone Fieldhouse; and
WHEREAS, The Hunter Day of Hope and Prayer for Children fulfills one
of the primary goals of Hunter's Hope, to remind parents how blessed
they are to have the gift of children; and
WHEREAS, Jill and Jim Kelly hope that through sharing Hunter's story,
they inspire in parents an appreciation of all children and thankfulness
for these precious gifts of life; and
WHEREAS, Hunter's Hope Foundation is the Kellys lifelong commitment to
increase public awareness of Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies
thus increasing the probability of early detection and treatment; to
gather and provide current, functional information and service linkages
to families of children with Leukodystrophies; to fund research efforts
that will identify new treatments, therapies and ultimately, a cure for
Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies; and to establish an alliance
of hope that will nourish, affirm and confront the urgent need for
medical, financial and emotional support of family members and those
afflicted with Leukodystrophies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2013, as
Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children in New York State; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Hunter's Hope Foundation, Orchard Park, New York.