LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lea Alford upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Jill Ann Livingston Scholarship Award by
the Black Women's Association of Albany on June 20, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the ideals
and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lea
Alford upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Jill Ann
Livingston Scholarship Award by the Black Women's Association of Albany,
to be celebrated at its Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards Dinner Dance
on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at The Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The theme of this year's auspicious event will be "Vision to
Victory!"; JoDee Kenney, News Anchor on Time Warner Cable News will
serve as Keynote Speaker; Shari W. Quinn, local author and educator will
be selling copies of her latest book, DISLOYALTY, and popular DJ Syxx-
figgaz will provide dance music; and
WHEREAS, The Black Women's Association of Albany (BWAA) was founded on
September 21, 1977, by a group of dynamic women with the purpose to
stimulate social awareness, encourage cultural growth, help youth real-
ize their full potential through education and serve as positive role
models for African American women of all ages; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, the BWAA Jill Ann Livingston Scholarship Award was
established by Calvin and Helen Livingston, in memory of their daughter,
Jill Ann Livingston, a member of the BWAA who tragically passed away in
2011; and
WHEREAS, A Senior at Guilderland High School, Lea Alford has main-
tained an impressive 83.3% GPA; diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, she
attends both regular and resource room classes, working very hard to
keep pace with her peers in her large school; and
WHEREAS, Lea Alford is determined to get good grades, avoid negative
influences and graduate from high school on time; fascinated by foreign
languages, she taught herself to sing the Greek National Anthem in
Greek, and took an Italian Level 1 class; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Lea Alford is a member of both the Girls Varsity
Indoor and Outdoor Track Teams, and has performed community service at
the Guilderland Public Library; she is also a vital member of the Reach
Out Fellowship Church; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Lea Alford will study Occupational Therapy
at Maria College; she plans to help people overcome their disabilities;
and
WHEREAS, As Lea Alford takes her leave of Guilderland High School, she
leaves a legacy of academic achievement, school involvement and communi-
ty service to which others may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Lea Alford stands poised on the threshold of a broad and
challenging world; a testament to the love and nurturing care of her
family, friends and school; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Lea Alford, a young
woman and able scholar, recognizing the value of her labors and the
promise of her future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lea Alford upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Jill Ann Livingston Scholarship Award, to commend her for her outstand-
ing academic achievement and to extend to her the best wishes of this
Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being,

fully confident of her response to a promising future and appreciative
of the model she represents for all aspiring young people of the Empire
State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lea Alford.