Senate Resolution No. 17

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Suzanne Selfors upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2018 Denise McCoy
Legacy Award on November 7, 2018

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Suzanne
Selfors upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018
Denise McCoy Legacy Award, to be celebrated at an event on Wednesday,
November 7, 2018, at the Fort Orange Club in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Denise McCoy Legacy Award was created to pay tribute to
Denise McCoy and her legacy of promoting literacy to community youth;
she was the former owner of the Bookmark in Latham, a bookstore
specializing in children's literature, and an avid supporter of
15-LOVE's literacy efforts; and

WHEREAS, The Denise McCoy Legacy Award honors the author of the
previous year's most humorous children's book as selected by the members
of the Upper Hudson Library Council and the Denise McCoy Legacy Award
Committee; the Denise McCoy Legacy Award benefits Kids Lit Events and
the Denise McCoy Scholarship Fund that provides financial scholarships
to 15-LOVE participants who are attending a higher education
institution; and

WHEREAS, Suzanne Selfors is receiving this prestigious award for her
delightful children's book series, Wedgie & Gizmo; the hilarious books
describe the growing pains of blended families and the secret rivalry of
pets; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of a United States Army Intelligence Officer,
Suzanne Selfors was born in a military hospital in Munich, Germany;
after a few years, she and her family moved back to her father's
hometown of Bainbridge Island, Washington, where she continues to live
today; and

WHEREAS, After studying modern dance at Bennington College, Suzanne
Selfors transferred to Occidental College where she graduated with a
bachelor's degree in Film Studies (cum laude and honors); she furthered
her education by obtaining her master's degree in communications (cum
laude) from the University of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating, Suzanne Selfors worked in a variety of
positions and created picture books and wrote stories; she married Bob,
and together, they raised two children, Walker and Isabelle; on the very
same day she helped her second child get on the bus for her first day
school in September of 2002, she signed up for a writing class at the
local university; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Suzanne Selfors published her first book, To Catch
a Mermaid; since then, she has written over 30 books for young readers

all over the world; on August 22, 2017, she published the first book of
her award winning, illustrated series, Wedgie & Gizmo; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the 2018 Denise McCoy Legacy Award, Suzanne
Selfors has been the recipient of numerous other accolades including a
variety of state awards and four Junior Library Guild Awards; throughout
her distinguished career, she has received stellar reviews and been
named to many lists, including the Bestseller List; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to her profession, Suzanne Selfors is a member of
the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and serves on
the Boards of Directors for both the Seattle7Writers.org and the
Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN); and

WHEREAS, When she is not writing, Suzanne Selfors loves to spend
time with her loving family on their boat, The Flying Fish, and enjoys
partner dancing, especially the Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing and Salsa;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Suzanne Selfors upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2018 Denise McCoy Legacy Award on November 7, 2018; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Suzanne Selfors.