LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reena Kashyap upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Arts and Culture Award by the Volunteer
Center of United Way

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Reena Kashyap has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reena Kash-
yap upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Arts and
Culture Award by the Volunteer Center of United Way; she will be honored
at the 34th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Breakfast Celebration, on
Thursday, April 24, 2014, at the Doubletree Hilton in Tarrytown, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Volunteer Center of United Way is a one-stop resource
devoted to increasing volunteerism in Westchester County and its
surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Rye, New York, now living in Manhat-
tan, Reena Kashyap is being recognized for her ceaseless dedicated
service to the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reena Kashyap, through her committed drive and passion, revi-
talized the Clay Art Center of Port Chester, transforming its flagging
artists program and deteriorating factory building into a hub for a
growing cadre of clay artists as well as a magnet for the public; and
WHEREAS, It is rare that one individual makes such a singular imprint
in an institution as Reena Kashyap has made to the Clay Arts Center; and
WHEREAS, Reena Kashyap's broad vision included reshaping of the
57-year-old center's work to encompass youth and families by offering
community-oriented programs and activities; a requirement that artists
donate three hours a month to volunteering at the center, put clay into
the hands of children and adults in the community, opening their eyes to
the magic of self-expression through art; and
WHEREAS, Through her creative and tremendous efforts, Reena Kashyap
has made the Clay Art Center into a cultural resource for all the resi-
dents of Rye, New York, to enjoy; the deep commitment to service that
she learned from her family, as well as from her childhood growing up in
India, has truly manifested in an endeavor of lasting benefit to the
community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Reena Kashyap has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Reena Kashyap has displayed through-
out her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reena Kashyap upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Arts and Culture Award by the Volunteer Center of United Way; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reena Kashyap.