LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Thomas Rennels upon the occasion
of winning first prize in the 2014 B'nai B'rith Capital Area Holocaust
Essay Contest

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those young people who, by achieving outstanding success in
writing competitions, have inspired and brought pride to our majestic
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Thomas Rennels upon the occasion of winning first prize in the 2014
B'nai B'rith Capital Area Holocaust Essay Contest; he will be honored by
B'nai B'rith Unit 879 Schenectady at a ceremony at the Jewish Federation
Community Room in Albany, New York, on Wednesday, June 11, 2014; and
WHEREAS, For almost 20 years, the B'nai B'rith Capital Area Annual
Holocaust Essay Contest has worked to honor the memory of the victims of
the Holocaust by reaching out to young people in the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Thomas "Tommy" Rennels, a student at Lisha Kill Middle
School, has achieved first prize for his outstanding essay on what life
would be like as a Jewish family facing Nazi occupation, and on what
should be done today to right the wrongs done during the Holocaust; and
WHEREAS, In his essay, Thomas Rennels showed a deep appreciation for
the plight of Jewish people during this period, and a recognition of the
evils of bigotry and intolerance in our modern world; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in his accomplishments and
in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciat-
ing the caring counsel and support provided by his teachers and parents;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Thomas Rennels upon the occasion of winning first prize in
the 2014 B'nai B'rith Capital Area Holocaust Essay Contest; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Thomas Rennels.