LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kayla McKeon upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2016 Champion of Change Self-Advocate of
the Year Award by the National Down Syndrome Society

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
those dedicated and talented individuals within our midst, who have and
continue to inspire their communities through their tireless efforts and
their outstanding professional and personal accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is hereby justly proud to
honor Kayla McKeon upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the 2016 Champion of Change Self-Advocate of the Year Award by the
National Down Syndrome Society, to be celebrated at an Award Ceremony in
Washington, D.C. on April 11, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Kayla McKeon of Cicero, New York, is a motivational speaker
and community advocate with Down Syndrome whose positive attitude has
inspired countless others to reach their highest potential; and
WHEREAS, As a motivational speaker, Kayla McKeon has delivered speech-
es at various venues, such as public schools and universities, through-
out Central New York and the entire State of New York; in addition, she
has conducted several media interviews to help raise community awareness
about Down Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Through her dedicated and enthusiastic advocacy, Kayla McKeon
has proudly served as a strong voice for others with Down Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Kayla McKeon lobbied state legislators to help pass
the New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) Act, which has
since been signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; the NY ABLE Act
will allow people with disabilities and their families to set up sepa-
rate, tax-exempt savings accounts to help them retain more of their own
money; and
WHEREAS, Kayla McKeon met with state lawmakers and used social media
and speaking engagements to help gain increased support for the NY ABLE
Act; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished athlete, Kayla McKeon has competed in a vari-
ety of Special Olympics events, including floor hockey, track and field,
and bocce since she was 13 years old on both the State and National
level; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2011, Kayla McKeon became a World Games Athlete,
proudly representing the United States and the State of New York in
Athens, Greece, and ultimately, brought home a Silver and Bronze Medal
in bocce; and
WHEREAS, An enthusiastic worker, Kayla McKeon is employed at Gigi's
Playhouse in Syracuse, New York, and serves as an intern at Congressman
John Katko's office; this incredible young woman also holds the position
of Special Olympic Congressional Ambassador and Emissary of the Shriver
Global Messenger program; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Kayla McKeon volunteers her time and energies at
numerous community organizations, such as the YMCA, and is pursuing her
associate's degree at both Onondaga Community and LeMoyne Colleges; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause to hereby honor and recog-
nize Kayla McKeon upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of

the 2016 Champion of Change Self-Advocate of the Year Award by the
National Down Syndrome Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kayla McKeon.