K181-2011 Actions

• Mar 2, 2011: adopted

K181-2011 Text

 ATIVE  RESOLUTION commending Paarth Shah, of Horseheads, New York,
 he occasion of his designation as a  State  Honoree  in  the  16th
  Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program

 S, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
 ong-standing  traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders
 orrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the  ideals  and
  cherished by this great State and nation; and
 EAS,  Paarth  Shah  has  distinguished  himself  as a young man of
 ative ability, establishing a high standard of community  service,
 efulness  of  life, and sense of responsibility rarely achieved in
 ul years; and
 EAS, Paarth Shah, age 16, of Horseheads, New York, and a Junior at
 eads High School, has achieved national recognition for  exemplary
 eer  service  by being named a 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community
 Honoree; he was nominated for this high honor by  Horseheads  High
 ; and
 EAS, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created in 1995 by
 tial  Financial  in  partnership  with the National Association of
 ary School Principals  (NASSP),  are  designed  to  emphasize  the
 ance  our nation places on service to others, and to encourage all
 Americans to contribute to their communities; and
 EAS, As one of only two New York State Honorees, Paarth Shah  will
 e  a  monetary  award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to
 gton, D.C., April 30-May 3, 2011, for a series of national  recog-
  events; and
 EAS,  Paarth  Shah raised $23,000 to renovate computer lab facili-
 t schools in India; during a trip to India  with  his  parents  in
 Paarth was struck by the level of poverty he saw there; and
 EAS,  Three years later when he saw TV news reports of flooding in
 wn of Surat, Paarth Shah was deeply saddened by the loss  of  life
 roperty  due to the torrential rains and ravaging waters and every
 e would eat, drink or have fun, the  thought  of  those  in  Surat
 d him; and
 EAS, Paarth Shah decided to do something to help and recruited two
 s  to  help  him  raise  money by conducting a penny drive, making
 tations to  local  businesses  and  community  organizations,  and
 ing for donations at local Indian events; and
 EAS,  As  a  result of these efforts, Paarth returned to India and
 ed funds to renovate computer lab facilities  at  two  schools  in
  and to install 60 computers, benefiting more than 3,000 students;

 EAS, He also conducted a workshop for the students on  the  impor-
 of community service; and
 EAS, Also,  while  he was in India, Paarth Shah encountered a poor
 crying in the street because her son had died and she didn't  have
 ney to cremate him; Paarth is now working to raise enough money to
 a crematorium for the village; and
 EAS,  The  success  of  the State of New York, the strength of our
 ities, and the vitality of American society depend, in great meas-
 pon the dedication of young people like Paarth Shah who use  their
 erable talents and resources to serve others; and
 EAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Paarth Shah, commend-
 im  for  his outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leader-
 and community service and recognizing the value of his labors  and
 omise of his future; now, therefore, be it

 LVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
  and pride to commend Paarth Shah  for  his  achievements  and  to
   to  him the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
 eful success and well-being, fully confident of  his  response  to
 hallenges  of  a promising future and appreciative of the model he
 ents for all young people of the Empire State; and be it further
 LVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
 d to Paarth Shah.