LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Fazana Saleem-Ismail upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Dreamer Award, to be celebrated
at the Stakeholders' 2014 GOBY Awards Ceremony on April 23, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
the dedicated efforts of those individuals and organizations from across
the State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service
to the community; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism is an essential element of all societies; it
provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serv-
ing can be sustained and strengthened; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Fazana
Saleem-Ismail upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Dreamer Award, to be celebrated at the Stakeholders' 2014 GOBY Awards
Ceremony on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at the GE Theatre at Proctors,
Schenectady, New York; and
WHEREAS, The GOBY Awards (Get on Board Volunteer Awards) recognize
companies, organizations and individuals who have provided exemplary
volunteer services in New York's Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Fazana Saleem-Ismail is the founder of Jazzy Sun Birthdays, a
non-profit organization that has been hosting personalized birthday
parties for almost 100 children living in local homeless shelters since
May of 2011; and
WHEREAS, Fazana Saleem-Ismail is a research scientist/training program
evaluator at the Research Foundation of the State University of New
York; originally from New York City, she worked for four years as a
program officer at the Robin Hood Foundation, an organization that seeks
to alleviate poverty in New York's five boroughs; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman was awarded the Community Capacity
Builders Award from the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic in
recognition of her impressive volunteer record; and
WHEREAS, Despite the demands of her career, Fazana Saleem-Ismail still
considers motherhood her most important job; she serves as Parent
Services Coordinator and Secretary of the PTO at AnNur Islamic School
and is also a Girl Scout troop leader; and
WHEREAS, Fazana Saleem-Ismail was inspired by her two children to
create Jazzy Sun Birthdays for disadvantaged children living in homeless
shelters; this project born from the heart is named after them; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism promotes family and community solidarity; most
importantly, people who give of their time in civic and charitable
endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Fazana Saleem-Ismail upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Dreamer Award at the Stakeholder's 2014 GOBY Awards
Ceremony on April 23, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fazana Saleem-Ismail.