LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Melissa Aquirre upon the occasion
of her selection to participate in the NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassa-
dors Program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those teachers who, by achieving outstanding success in their
educational and scientific endeavors, have inspired and brought pride to
our majestic Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Melissa Aquirre upon the occasion of her selection to participate
in the NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors Program; and
WHEREAS, Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors is a professional development
program aspiring to improve teaching, inspire students, and inform the
community; it seeks to encourage scientific literacy and STEM education,
most notably in schools from underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, Melissa Aquirre is a native of Queens, New York, and an
educator at J.H.S. 217 Robert Van Wyck, where she teaches English
Language Arts and English as a Second Language; and
WHEREAS, One of 28 teachers from across the country to be selected by
Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors, Melissa Aquirre will travel and work
side-by-side with NASA astronomers following various stages of scientif-
ic research including preparations, data analysis and publication; and
WHEREAS, As part of her research efforts during this time, Melissa
Aquirre will experience two 10-hour overnight science mission flights on
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy; and
WHEREAS, Using infrared light and the world's largest airborne tele-
scope, Melissa Aquirre will study such areas of astrophysics as the
formation of stars and planets, the chemistry of interstellar gases, the
composition of comets, and supermassive black holes at the center of
galaxies; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of this prestigious program, Melissa
Aquirre will work on launching a STEM club at her school and collaborate
with fellow science teachers on utilizing her experiences for the bene-
fit of future classroom lessons and presentations; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable talent and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the growth of education in the great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Melissa Aquirre upon the occasion of her selection to
participate in the NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors Program; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Melissa Aquirre.