Senate Resolution No. 3041

BY: Senator O'MARA

CONGRATULATING Jessica Lawson upon the occasion of
capturing the New Balance Outdoor Nationals Girls 5K
Championship on June 16, 2017

WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after
in high school sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic
achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such
excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and
physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, A standout long-distance runner for the Corning Hawks,
Jessica Lawson earned her first national championship at the New Balance
Outdoor Track and Field meet on Friday, June 16, 2017, in Greensboro,
North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Lawson won the 5K Championship with an incredible
time of 16:38.54, beating the second place finisher by 27 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Prior to this monumental win, Jessica Lawson earned her
tenth New York State Championship at the NYSPHSAA Track and Field meet
on Friday, June 9, 2017, at Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Lawson won the 3,000 meter Championship with an
outstanding time of 9:25.68, beating her closest opponent by a second;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to earning 10 New York State Championships in
cross country, and indoor and outdoor track, Jessica Lawson has been
named an All-American and New York Runner of the Year several times; she
was also the recipient of several awards including the 2017 George
Bacalles Memorial Award, and the 2017 New York State Hands of Christ
Award; and

WHEREAS, Raised on her family's dairy farm, Jessica Lawson was
taught the value of hard work; she milked cows five nights a week after
school and practice, and during the summer of 2016, she served as an
intern for a local veterinarian; and

WHEREAS, Since June of 2011, Jessica Lawson has bred, raised,
showed, and sold registered Holstein cattle; in both 2011 and 2012, she
was crowned the New York State Dairy Quiz Bowl Champion; she was also
named the 2012 Master Rabbit Showman, and the 2013 Master Dairy Showman
at the Steuben County Fair; and

WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by Jessica Lawson is due in
great part to the efforts of Coach Ray Lawson, a skilled and

inspirational tutor, respected for his ability to develop potential into
excellence; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Lawson's overall record is outstanding; she was
loyally and enthusiastically supported by her family, fans, friends and
the community at large; and

WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, Jessica Lawson has proven
herself to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably
on her school; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Corning Painted Post High School,
Jessica Lawson plans to attend Stanford University, where she will
surely continue to excel in both sports and academics; and

WHEREAS, Coach Ray Lawson has done a superb job in guiding, molding
and inspiring Jessica Lawson towards her goals; and

WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride
and accomplishment, and Coach Ray Lawson and Jessica Lawson have clearly
made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of
their school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Jessica Lawson upon the occasion of capturing the New
Balance Outdoor Nationals Girls 5K Championship on June 16, 2017; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jessica Lawson and Coach Ray Lawson.