Senate Resolution No. 3254 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Kayla Mumtaz upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2020 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 Kayla Mumtaz upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2020 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence; and WHEREAS, The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence honors State University of New York students who have best demonstrated their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may include leadership, campus involvement, athletics, career achievement, community service or creative and performing arts; and WHEREAS, Established in 1998, the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence is the highest student recognition in the State University of New York (SUNY) system; and WHEREAS, The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 424,000 students in more than 7,000 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses, with more than three million alumni around the globe; and WHEREAS, Each campus establishes a selection committee, which reviews exemplary members of its 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, As recipient of this most prestigious award, Kayla Mumtaz, a student at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), truly embodies the power of SUNY; and WHEREAS, A proven leader and role model, this extraordinary woman is being recognized not only for academic achievement, but also for the profound impact she has had on HVCC and the community-at-large; and WHEREAS, A political science major with an exceptional GPA, Kayla Mumtaz truly hopes to make a difference in the lives of many as a human rights attorney; and WHEREAS, Throughout her journey, Kayla Mumtaz was supported by her loving husband and three young children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and WHEREAS, As Kayla Mumtaz takes her leave of HVCC, she bequeaths a legacy of academic achievement, school involvement and community service to which others may aspire; and WHEREAS, Kayla Mumtaz stands poised on the threshold of a broad and challenging world, a testament to the love and nurturing care of her family, friends and school; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to honor Kayla Mumtaz, a woman and able scholar, recognizing the value of her labors and the promise of her future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Kayla Mumtaz upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2020 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Kayla Mumtaz.