LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Taylor Keith upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Marian I. Hughes Award by the Black
Women's Association of Albany on June 14, 2014

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Taylor Keith upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Marian I. Hughes Award by the Black Women's Association of Albany, to be
celebrated at its 9th Annual Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards Lunch-
eon on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at The Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Black Women's Association of Albany (BWAA) was founded on
September 21, 1977, by a group of dynamic women with the purpose to
stimulate social awareness, encourage cultural growth, help youth real-
ize their full potential through education and serve as positive role
models for African American women of all ages; and
WHEREAS, The BWAA Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards were established
in 2005 in memory of Mrs. Hughes, an educational leader who held various
teaching and administrative positions in the City School District of
Albany; she was also an Associate in the New York State Education
Department, the author of two books about the history of public school
education in Albany, and an advocate for better Human Relations; and
WHEREAS, A Senior at the Albany Leadership Charter High School for
Girls, Taylor Keith has an impressive 3.85 GPA on a four point scale,
which qualified her to be in the school's Academic Honors Club; and
WHEREAS, Active within her school community, Taylor Keith participated
in Track and Field events and was a School Ambassador at Open Houses for
parents and prospective students; and
WHEREAS, A true leader, Taylor Keith was instrumental in the creation
of Stomp On Bullying, a campaign that used a multi-faceted action plan
to address all aspects of bullying; she met with New York State Legisla-
tors, police officers, community organizers and other students to put
her campaign into action; and
WHEREAS, Taylor Keith was subsequently named Delta GEMS Leader of the
Year, and in 2013, she was the New York State Regional Representative of
the Delta GEMS at the Delta Sigma Theta Centennial Convention in Wash-
ington, DC; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she was the founder and President of her
school's Gay Straight Alliance, and advocated for acceptance and safe
zones within schools for LGBTQ students; Taylor Keith participated in
the Common Council Campaign as an Assistant Canvass Captain and attended
a four day conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters; and
WHEREAS, Taylor Keith will attend SUNY Geneseo and aspires to a career
in Forensic Anthropology; and
WHEREAS, As Taylor Keith takes her leave of the Albany Leadership
Charter High School for Girls, she bequeaths a legacy of academic
achievement, school involvement and community service to which others
may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Taylor Keith 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 moved to honor Taylor Keith, a young
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 Taylor Keith upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
a Marian I. Hughes Award, to commend her for her outstanding academic
achievement and to extend to her the best wishes of this Legislative
Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being, fully confident
of her response to a promising future and appreciative of the model she
represents for all aspiring young people of the Empire State; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Taylor Keith.