Senate Resolution No. 1521

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMENDING Valerie Szuster upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the
Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration on April 27,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Valerie Szuster upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration to be held on Thursday, April
27, 2017, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York; and

WHEREAS, Holocaust Remembrance Day, known in Hebrew as Yom HaShoah,
is a day set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for
reminding New Yorkers, all Americans, and people around the world of
what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred and
indifference reign; and WHEREAS, At this auspicious event, Valerie
Szuster will be recognized for her diligent work in creating a more
civil society for the citizens of not only Nassau County, but the entire
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Valerie Szuster, a student at Great Neck North High School,
in Great Neck, New York, is extraordinarily gracious, genuine, and kind,
and is one of the most concerned young people you will ever meet; people
are naturally drawn to her; she is an open-minded and easy-going
individual who consistently adheres to her steadfast morals and values;
and

WHEREAS, Valerie Szuster has a tendency to befriend those who are
viewed as outsiders, and is always aware of not excluding others from
activities or groups; she is also relentless, enthusiastic, determined
and optimistic, a recipe for true success; these desirable qualities
serve her well and are bound to take her far in life; and

WHEREAS, Valerie Szuster was selected by the entire faculty to serve
as a Peer Leader in both her junior and senior years; she co-facilitates
weekly group meetings with underclassmen, addressing and discussing
various topics, and performing acts of community service, while
continually attending a class where she receives instruction on group
dynamics; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Valerie Szuster has been a volunteer for the
Friendship Circle, a community organization that pairs high school
students with children with special needs; perhaps most meaningful to
her is her involvement in the North High clubs that promote diversity in
language and culture including the French Club, the International Club,
and the Hebrew Club; and


WHEREAS, Valerie Szuster's extensive participation and leadership in
the our annual International Night is noteworthy, and her enthusiasm in
making sure the show is better than the one before is contagious; and
WHEREAS, Incredibly sensitive to the well-being and needs of those
around her, Valerie Szuster is constantly putting others before herself,
living her life by the familiar saying, "Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you"; and

WHEREAS, With her sense of civic duty and her commitment to others,
Valerie Szuster represents the best development of the potential which
is inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Valerie Szuster upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Valerie Szuster.