Assembly Resolution No. 788

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

        COMMENDING  Victoria  Holmes  upon the occasion of
        her designation as a Distinguished Finalist  in  the
        25th  Annual  Prudential  Spirit of Community Awards
        program

  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  exemplify  the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend  Victoria  Holmes  upon  the  occasion  of  her designation as a
Distinguished Finalist in the 25th Annual Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards program; and

  WHEREAS, Victoria Holmes has distinguished herself as a young  woman
of  superlative  ability,  establishing  a  high  standard  of community
service, purposefulness of life,  and  sense  of  responsibility  rarely
achieved in youthful years; and

  WHEREAS,  The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created in 1995
by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association  of
Secondary  School  Principals  (NASSP),  are  designed  to emphasize the
importance our Nation places on service to others, and to encourage  all
young Americans to contribute to their communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Victoria  Holmes,  a resident of Corning, New York, and an
eighth-grader at The  Alternative  School  for  Math  and  Science,  has
achieved   national  recognition  for  exemplary  volunteer  service  by
receiving a 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Award; and

  WHEREAS, This  prestigious  award  honors  young  volunteers  across
America  who  have  demonstrated  an  extraordinary  commitment to their
communities; and

  WHEREAS, Upon learning her mother had leukemia, Victoria Holmes  and
her  siblings  had to move hundreds of miles away to live with relatives
for months at a time; and

  WHEREAS, Missing her mother  terribly  one  night,  Victoria  Holmes
awoke  to her aunt coming into the room and wrapping her in a blanket to
comfort her; she never  forgot  this  significant  moment,  the  blanket
represented the love of her family; and

  WHEREAS,  Years  later,  Victoria Holmes decided to help improve the
lives of families who have experienced a life altering event; she wanted
to give others in similar situations the same kind of comfort by  making
blankets for them; and

  WHEREAS,  Victoria  Holmes's efforts included spreading awareness of
her  project,  collaborating  with  community   partners   and   sorting
donations; and


  WHEREAS,  It  is this accomplished young woman's goal to provide two
blankets per family, one for a child and one for the  parents,  so  they
can snuggle the same blanket while they are apart; and

  WHEREAS,  The  success of the State of New York, the strength of our
communities, and the vitality  of  American  society  depend,  in  great
measure,  upon  the dedication of young people like Victoria Holmes, who
use their considerable talents and resources to serve others; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to  honor  Victoria  Holmes,
commending  her  for  her  outstanding record of volunteer service, peer
leadership, and community service, 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,
with praise and pride, to commend Victoria Holmes for her  achievements,
and  to  extend  to  her  the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a
future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Victoria Holmes.