Senate Resolution No. 5848

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Jason Robinson upon the occasion of
capturing the NYSPHSAA Track and Field 1,600- and
3,200-meter Wheelchair Division Championships

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to those citizens who embody the true American spirit,
demonstrating personal courage and conviction in pursuit of athletic
achievement without regard to physical limitation; and

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be
achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit,
nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the
future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a
standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and
developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, A freshman at Westmoreland High School, Jason Robinson
captured the 3,200-meter event with a time of 8:25.38 and the 1,600- in
4:00.98 during the NYSPHSAA Track and Field Wheelchair Division
Champions from June 8-9, 2018, at Cicero-North Syracuse High School; and

WHEREAS, Even though he was the only participant in the wheelchair
division, Jason Robinson proudly proved that anyone can accomplish
anything, and that there are opportunities for other people in
wheelchairs to race for a New York State Championship; and

WHEREAS, With overwhelming support from Westmoreland track and field
coach Neal Bartlett and officials from the school district, Section III
and New York State, legislation was pushed through and a wheelchair
division was established for the New York State Championships; and

WHEREAS, Racing is not new to Jason Robinson; he made history five
years ago, at the young age of 10, when he became the youngest
participant to compete in the Boilermaker 15K Road Race's wheelchair
division; and

WHEREAS, In addition to track and field, Jason Robinson has excelled
in several other sports including wheelchair basketball, competitive
swimming and sled hockey; and

WHEREAS, Jason Robinson has also won approximately 30 track and
field and swimming titles at Junior Nationals; and

WHEREAS, A member of the North Jersey Navigators, Jason Robinson
will represent Team USA in the International Wheelchair and Amputee
Sports Federation's IWAS World Games in Ireland next month; he then will
travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the Adaptive Sports USA Junior
Nationals from July 22-28; and

WHEREAS, Jason Robinson's overall record is outstanding, he has been
loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans, friends and the
community at large; and

WHEREAS, Jason Robinson has truly proven himself to be an unbeatable
combination of talents, reflecting favorably on his school; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the achievements of its citizens who would elect to challenge
life with an uncommon spirit and determination, demonstrating by example
and purposeful action that commitment to personal goals is the
wellspring of self-fulfillment and triumph; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Jason Robinson upon the occasion of capturing the first
NYSPHSAA 1,600- and 3,200-meter Wheelchair Division Championships; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jason Robinson.