LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Director Darren Aronofsky upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni
Award by the Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented
Alumni Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of artistic significance whose creative talents have
contributed to the cultural enrichment of our communities and our
nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Director Darren Aronofsky upon the occasion of his designation as recip-
ient of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Mark Twain Intermedi-
ate School for the Gifted and Talented Alumni Hall of Fame, to be cele-
brated at its 2nd Annual Gala at Gargiulo's Restaurant, Coney Island,
New York, on Thursday, March 26, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious accolade is given to alumni of both the Mark
Twain Intermediate School and the Junior High School for the Gifted and
Talented, individuals who have achieved distinction in their respective
fields in the hope their examples will inspire new generations of
students to appreciate a rich educational experience focused on academic
rigor, and the visual performing arts; and
WHEREAS, Academy Award nominated Director Darren Aronofsky was born
and raised in Brooklyn, New York; prior to graduating from both Harvard
University and the American Film Institute, he was a graduate of both
the Mark Twain Intermediate School and the Junior High School for the
Gifted and Talented; and
WHEREAS, Darren Aronofsky's first feature "Pi", won the Director's
Award at Sundance Film Festival in 1998; two years later, he directed
"Requiem For a Dream", which headlined Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, and
Jennifer Connelly; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Darren Aronofsky directed "The Fountain", which
starred Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz; his next major production was
"The Wrestler", which received the Golden Lion at the Venice Film
Festival; the stars of the movie, Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei,
received numerous accolades for their stellar performances, and Bruce
Springsteen won acclaim for the best original song, "The Wrestler"; and
WHEREAS, Darren Aronofsky directed "Black Swan" in 2011, which earned
him a nomination for Best Director, and Natalie Portman, the Academy
Award for Best Actress; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, Darren Aronofsky directed "Noah" in 2014,
which starred Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, and Anthony
Hopkins; the movie was hailed as one of the most dazzling and unforget-
table Biblical epics ever put on film; and
WHEREAS, In light of the tremendous success and contributions of this
accomplished director, it is small wonder that Mark Twain Intermediate
School for the Gifted and Talented has selected Darren Aronofsky as the
second inductee into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Celebrated Director Darren Aronofsky has clearly distin-
guished himself in his career, and New York State and the entire nation
have benefited greatly from his talents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Director Darren Aronofsky upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Mark Twain
Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented Alumni Hall of Fame; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Darren Aronofsky.