LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring DeVon Johnson upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2014 Albany Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
DeVon Johnson upon the occasion of his designation as the 2014 Albany
Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award is the highest honor an Albany Boys &
Girls Club member can receive; it recognizes outstanding contributions
to family, school, community and to the Boys & Girls Club; and
WHEREAS, DeVon Johnson first came to the Boys & Girls Club due to his
desire to play basketball; since then, he has taken on leadership roles
in helping to conduct programs such as, Passport to Manhood, a teen
program that engages young boys in discussions and activities that rein-
force character, leadership, and positive behavior; and
WHEREAS, This exemplary young man has also been an instrumental part
of the Goals to Graduation program, a teen program that helps youth make
connections between their aspirations for the future and concrete
actions they can take today, as well as the Career Launch program, which
encourages club teen members to assess their skills and interests,
explore careers, make sound education decisions and prepare to join the
nation's workforce; and
WHEREAS, DeVon Johnson has assisted the Boys & Girls Club staff in
creating a youth basketball clinic for children ages seven to nine; as
part of his responsibility, he has helped organize scrimmages against
other local children, and organized fundraising opportunities to support
the team; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he has also spent time volunteering at the
Regional Food Bank, the Center for the Disabled, and Community Gardens;
and
WHEREAS, A member of the Albany High School Basketball team, DeVon
Johnson has achieved honor roll status during the first two quarters of
the academic school year; he truly takes pride in his academic success,
and his post high school plans are to attend Johnson State College to
major in Exercise Science, and play for the college's basketball team;
and
WHEREAS, This occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative
Body to wish DeVon Johnson continued success throughout his school years
and beyond; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor DeVon Johnson upon the occasion of his designation as the 2014
Albany Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to DeVon Johnson.