Senate Resolution No. 5441

BY: Senator AVELLA

CONGRATULATING John Douveas upon the occasion of
receiving the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout, the
most prestigious of Scouting honors, on November 10,
2018

WHEREAS, John Douveas, through his diligence and rigorous efforts,
has achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious rank, Eagle Scout;
the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 10,
2018; and

WHEREAS, John Douveas is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop
268, Flushing, New York; and

WHEREAS, A 15 year-old Freshman at Francis Lewis High School, John
Douveas is a member of both the Varsity Wrestling Team and Varsity
Volleyball Team; he also serves as a Freshman Representative in the
Student Government Organization; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 2017, this extraordinary young man earned a
first degree Black Belt in Taekwondo after 8 years of training; and

WHEREAS, John Douveas began participating in the scouting program as
a 6-year-old Tiger cub at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in
Flushing, New York; after completing the requirements of the program and
achieving the Arrow of Light distinction, he crossed over into Boy Scout
Troop 268 in 2014; and

WHEREAS, As a Boy Scout, John Douveas has helped teach the younger
scouts in the troop survival skills as well as leadership and
communication skills; he has also served as patrol leader, assistant
patrol leader and scribe; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, John Douveas gives of his time and
energies to the annual St. Nicholas Church Festival and as a volunteer
office assistant with St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Sunday school
program; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he has participated in countless local
beautification projects and blood drives; and

WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and

WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to
the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation;
and

WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned
by only five percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of
Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting
for many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all
of the necessary achievements, including completion of a community
service project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed;
and

WHEREAS, For his project, John Douveas organized several book drives
and collected more than 3,000 books for The Book Fairies, a
not-for-profit organization which collects reading materials for
students in need throughout New York City; and

WHEREAS, His dedication to the safety and well-being of the citizens
of Flushing, New York, is represented through his project and
demonstrates his devotion to both community and commitment to others;
and

WHEREAS, John Douveas' perseverance in rising through the ranks to
Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master difficult
tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a leader, fully
equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex society; and

WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school,
his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor John Douveas on achieving the rank of Eagle
Scout; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Douveas.