Senate Resolution No. 945

BY: Senator COMRIE

HONORING Saha Aritra upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2017 Chancellor's
Award for Student Excellence

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today and
leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Saha Aritra
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017
Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence; and

WHEREAS, The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence is the
highest student recognition in the State University of New York (SUNY)
system, created in 1998 to recognize students who have demonstrated, and
have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with
accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service
and performing arts or career achievement; and

WHEREAS, The State University of New York is the largest
comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more
than 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs
on 63 campuses, with more than three million alumni around the globe;
and

WHEREAS, Each campus establishes a selection committee, which
reviews exemplary members of that college community who are graduating;
nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor's Office and are subject
to a second round of review; finalists are then recommended to the
Chancellor to become recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Student
Excellence; and

WHEREAS, Students honored with the Chancellor's Award for Student
Excellence, such as Saha Aritra who attends SUNY Albany, truly empower
the body of SUNY; as proven leaders and role models, scholar athletes,
creative artists, and civic volunteers, each student is recognized not
just for academic achievement, but also for the profound impact they
have on college campuses and local communities across New York State;
and

WHEREAS, Saha Aritra had to overcome adversity at a young age when
he and his family immigrated to the United States; they were given a new
opportunity to grow and succeed; and

WHEREAS, Taking advantage of the magnificent education opportunities
that New York has to offer, Saha Aritra became the valedictorian of his
graduating class at Hillcrest High School and went on to attend the
Nanoscience College at the University at Albany; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his undergraduate career, Saha Aritra
accumulated an impressive array of accolades both on and off campus; he
has done work as a researcher with the Energy and Environment

Applications Center of CNSE and the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee; and

WHEREAS, Despite all of the tragedy Saha Aritra faced, he continued
to push himself as a student who is indeed destined for greatness;
through his community engagement and academic achievement, he has proven
that the refugees and immigrants that enter this country can come and
contribute greatly; and

WHEREAS, As Saha Aritra takes his leave of SUNY Albany, he bequeaths
a legacy of academic achievement, school involvement and community
service to which others may aspire; and

WHEREAS, Saha Aritra stands poised on the threshold of a broad and
challenging world; a testament to the love and nurturing care of his
family, friends and school; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Saha Aritra, a
young man and able scholar, recognizing the value of his labors and the
promise of his future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Saha Aritra upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2017 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, to commend him for
his outstanding academic achievement and to extend to him the best
wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and
well-being, fully confident of his response to a promising future and
appreciative of the model he represents for all aspiring young people of
the Empire State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Saha Aritra.