Senate Resolution No. 1520

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMENDING Samantha Kramer upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the
Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration on April 27,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Samantha Kramer upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration to be held on Thursday, April
27, 2017, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York; and

WHEREAS, Holocaust Remembrance Day, known in Hebrew as Yom HaShoah,
is a day set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for
reminding New Yorkers, all Americans, and people around the world of
what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred and
indifference reign; and

WHEREAS, At this auspicious event, Samantha Kramer will be
recognized for her diligent work in creating a more civil society for
the citizens of not only Nassau County, but the entire State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Samantha Kramer, a student at Great Neck North High School,
in Great Neck, New York, has an uncanny way of putting others at ease;
whether she is spending time with her aunt who is battling terminal
cancer or supporting a disabled tenth grader as he participates in a
school wide, community building program, her positive, pleasant, and
calming disposition make them completely comfortable; and

WHEREAS, Samantha Kramer gives of her time to Challenge Day, an
all-day event which promotes empathy, connection, and positive change in
school environments for sophomores; she enjoys being involved with this
program because she is a Peer Leader and "big sister" in the tenth grade
Advisory program; and

WHEREAS, While other seniors, who were taking part in the program
that day, mingled amongst themselves or interacted with the sophomores
casually, Samantha Kramer's only focus was to stay by Alex, a student
with a classified disability and social limitations; she supported him
though out the entire program, making a point to find him during random
activities and whenever the opportunity presented itself; and

WHEREAS, This is the innate nature of this incredibly special young
woman; she is kind, empathetic, approachable, and completely inclusive;
and

WHEREAS, As an eleven-year old who would be attending a sleep away
camp for the first time, Samantha Kramer chose a bunk away from her
hometown friends so she would have the opportunity to meet a new,
diverse group of people and seven years later those girls are considered
some of her closest friends; and one of her first editorials as
co-Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper was titled The Great (Neck)
Gatsby: Crossing Social Boundaries which highlighted the restricted
social hierarchy of North High while encouraging students to branch out,
meet students of all social groups, and create versatile friendships and
experiences; and

WHEREAS, She is also the co-founder and an active member of the
Debate Club, a member of Key Club, and has also been involved with
athletics, participating in both the Badminton and Tennis; and

WHEREAS, Samantha Kramer's character is simply beyond reproach and
she enriches any community of which she is a member; her intellectual
curiosity, positive spirit, and people and communication skills are
beyond her years and are attributes that will serve her well in college
and beyond; and

WHEREAS, With her sense of civic duty and her commitment to others,
Samantha Kramer represents the best development of the potential which
is inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Samantha Kramer upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Samantha Kramer.