LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Naw Eh Ku upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Award by the
Black Women's Association of Albany on June 20, 2015

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 Naw
Eh Ku upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Marian I.
Hughes Scholarship Award by the Black Women's Association of Albany, to
be celebrated at its Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards Dinner Dance on
Saturday, June 20, 2015, at The Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The theme of this year's auspicious event will be "Vision to
Victory!"; JoDee Kenney, News Anchor on Time Warner Cable News will
serve as Keynote Speaker; Shari W. Quinn, local author and educator,
will be selling copies of her latest book, DISLOYALTY, and popular DJ
Syxxfiggaz will provide dance music; 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 vari-
ous 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 Albany High School, Naw Eh Ku has maintained an
impressive 88.2% GPA, ranking 82nd out of her graduating class of 475
students; active in her school, she participates in numerous clubs; and
WHEREAS, Naw Eh Ku was born in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma
border, and subsequently, lived in poverty until she was 14 years old;
regrettably her mother died in childbirth; and
WHEREAS, Through help from the United Nations, Naw Eh Ku was able to
move to the United States and live with her grandparents; with great
determination, she learned English and passed the ESL Proficiency Test
by her Freshman year of high school; by 11th grade, she was taking AP
English Language Composition class; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the well-being of her community, Naw Eh Ku helps
to feed the homeless at the Rescue Mission, and teach Sabbath School
classes for youth at her church, as well as serve as a translator for
others of the Karen Tribe in her community when they have medical or
other appointments; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Naw Eh Ku will major in Sociology at Siena
College; she aspires to have a successful career in the Public Health
field; and
WHEREAS, As Naw Eh Ku takes her leave of Albany High School, she
leaves a legacy of academic achievement, school involvement and communi-
ty service to which others may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Naw Eh Ku stands poised on the threshold of a broad and chal-
lenging world; a testament to the love and nurturing care of her family,
friends and school; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Naw Eh Ku, 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 Naw Eh Ku upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Award, to commend her for her outstanding
academic achievement and to extend to her the best wishes of this Legis-
lative 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 Naw Eh Ku.