LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Xiomara Francis upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Vidie L. McLaughlin 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
Xiomara Francis upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Vidie L McLaughlin 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, In 2010, The Honorable Carolyn McLaughlin, President of the
Albany Common Council, and Vice-President of BWAA, established the Vidie
L. McLaughlin Scholarship Award in memory of her beloved mother; and
WHEREAS, A Senior at the Albany Leadership Charter High School for
Girls, Xiomara Francis, affectionately known as Xixi, has maintained an
impressive 96.5% GPA; she is ranked first in her graduating class of 72;
and
WHEREAS, Xiomara Francis has been the recipient of numerous academic
awards including the President Barack Obama Academic Award of Achieve-
ment, and Zeta Phi Beta Amicette of the Year; in 2012, she was the
winner at the Albany Leadership Charter High School Science Fair with
her project entitled "The Brain's Effect on the Heart"; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Xiomara Francis was selected to present medical
research at the Annual New York State STEP Conference and was a research
intern at Albany College of Pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, One year later, Xiomara Francis achieved a 4.0 GPA in the
University at Albany Summer STEP College Prep Program, thereby earning
college credits; and
WHEREAS, Xiomara Francis has served as Captain of her school's Volley-
ball Team and Chair of the Macedonia Baptist Church Youth Day; and
WHEREAS, A recipient of a Legacy Scholarship, Xiomara Francis will
attend Howard University; fascinated by obstetric medicine and genetic
science, she aspires to become a doctor who will serve the people of her
community; and
WHEREAS, As Xiomara Francis takes her leave of Albany Leadership Char-
ter High School, she leaves a legacy of academic achievement, school
involvement and community service to which others may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Xiomara Francis 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 Xiomara Francis, 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 Xiomara Francis upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of a Vidie L. McLaughlin Scholarship 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 Xiomara Francis.