LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Amy Rankin upon the occasion of her
designation as a 2016 Inductee into the Auburn Alumni Hall of
Distinction, on May 6, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Amy Rankin upon the occasion of her designation as a 2016 Inductee into
the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction, to be celebrated at an Induction
Ceremony on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction was established in
2012, by the Auburn Education Foundation to recognize, honor and cele-
brate graduates who have distinguished themselves through outstanding
academic, professional, or civic achievements and to inspire current
students to pursue a path towards personal success; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular merit, Amy Rankin, Auburn High Class of
1999, has continually demonstrated tremendous competence, extraordinary
intelligence and diligent leadership in her unwavering service to both
her community and her profession and consequently has been selected for
this most prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, A respected field hockey player, Amy Rankin graduated from
Auburn High School; after graduating, she continued playing field hockey
at Dickinson College where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychol-
ogy; and
WHEREAS, As a senior, Amy Rankin was the recipient of the Most
Improved Player Award for her tireless commitment to her sport; and
WHEREAS, After college, Amy Rankin moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where
she served as a special education teacher; unfortunately, she was crit-
ically injured in a tragic accident; and
WHEREAS, After spending 33 days in a coma, Amy Rankin regained
consciousness; however, she remained in a critical state, and the
doctors did not give much hope for any improvement in her condition; and
WHEREAS, Her doctors obviously underestimated her strength, determi-
nation and never-give-up attitude because Amy Rankin proved the doctors
wrong; although her recovery was not easy, she was determined as she set
goals for herself; and
WHEREAS, More than 100 days after the accident, Amy Rankin's parents
were able to move her to The Centers at St. Camillus, a rehabilitation
center in Syracuse, New York; after five months of intense therapy, Amy
walked out of the center and returned to her home in Auburn where she
continued to receive outpatient physical and speech therapy; and
WHEREAS, Amy Rankin continues to defy her original prognosis by volun-
teering her time and energy at Meals On Wheels and working with Choices
for Change, a day program for traumatically brain injured individuals;
and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Amy Rankin's book, NOBODY THOUGHT I COULD DO IT, BUT
I SHOWED THEM AND SO CAN YOU! was published; the book helped Amy in her
recovery efforts and serves as an inspiration for others suffering from
a traumatic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Amy Rankin has shared her story at the New York
State TBI Convention in Syracuse and in Albany and has spoken at the
Onondaga Community College TBI Workshop; and

WHEREAS, In honor of her legacy and her perseverance, Amy Rankin's
field hockey jersey at Dickinson College has been retired and the Most
Improved Player Award has been renamed the Amy Rankin Award; 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
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Amy Rankin upon the occasion of her designation as a 2016 Induc-
tee into the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction, on May 6, 2016; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Amy Rankin.