LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea upon the
occasion of their designation for special recognition by Upper Hudson
Planned Parenthood on February 12, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge those exemplary individuals whose purposeful lives
and distinguished careers have been committed to bettering the quality
of life in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood at its Roe V.
Wade Celebration to be held on Friday, February 12, 2016, at the Renais-
sance Albany Hotel in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Both Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea have given not only of
their time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and
leadership and, consequently, have been designated for these special
honors; and
WHEREAS, Each year near the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court
decision, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood proudly honors advocates for
choice at its Roe V. Wade Celebration in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, 43 years ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a
woman's constitutional right to privacy includes her right to abortion;
one in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she
reaches age 45; and
WHEREAS, This year, Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, Upper
Hudson Chapter, is honoring Liz Benjamin with the 2016 Nellie Bly Award
for Fearless Journalism for her tireless commitment to covering the
issues important to women in her community and for covering issues
effecting reproductive rights; and
WHEREAS, For more than 15 years, Liz Benjamin has been a strong inves-
tigative reporter asking the tough questions and breaking news in print
and online; as the host of "Capital Tonight", she has shined the light
on issues which affect everyone in her community and throughout the
State; and
WHEREAS, Jasmine Shea is being honored by Planned Parenthood Advocates
of New York, Upper Hudson Chapter, with the 2016 Sarah Weddington Award
for Youth Leadership for her tireless work and commitment to reproduc-
tive rights; and
WHEREAS, The viral campaign around the Hobby Lobby issue, the Saturday
one-woman counter protests and the PinkOUT event, highlight Jasmine
Shea's unique and energetic commitment to the cause of women and repro-
ductive freedom; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their service, a period of
constructive involvement, Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea, upon the occasion of their desig-
nation for special recognition by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood on
February 12, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Liz Benjamin and Jasmine Shea.