Honor Riley Walz Achievement

Senate Resolution No. 1476 BY: Senator TEDISCO HONORING Riley Walz upon the occasion of winning the Living the Example Video Contest by Mentor Foundation USA WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 honor Riley Walz upon the occasion of winning the Living the Example Video Contest by Mentor Foundation USA; and WHEREAS, Living the Example was created by Mentor Foundation USA to showcase this generation, pursuing their passions and achieving their dreams, while staying drug-free, by example to their peers in their community; and WHEREAS, Mentor Foundation USA exists to prevent adolescent drug abuse while helping them realize their potential and achieve their dreams; they partner with the business community, government agencies, schools and parents to create healthy and productive pathways for students and inspire and motivate them to higher academic achievements and empower them to make healthy drug-free decisions; and WHEREAS, From a young age, Riley Walz has demonstrated an understanding of kindness, goodwill and integrity; after he and his family moved to Germany, he organized a bottle drive to raise funds for the family of a classmate diagnosed with leukemia; and WHEREAS, Upon coming back to the United States, Riley Walz started producing a podcast on Random Facts to speak out about bullying; he discovered a non-profit organization in Ireland devoted to eliminating this issue and convinced them to be interviewed on one of his shows; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to helping others, Riley Walz has been working with St. Baldrick's Foundation for research into a cure for childhood cancer; every year, he helps the Foundation raise significant funds for their worthy cause; and WHEREAS, Currently a 9th grader at Ballston Spa High School in Ballston Spa, New York, Riley Walz is a well-rounded student involved in student government and is a member of the cross-country team; and WHEREAS, Riley Walz may take just pride in the inspiration and contribution to the spirit of excellence he brings to his family, friends, community and school; and WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in his accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by his teachers, coaches and parents; and WHEREAS, With his sense of civic duty and his commitment to others, Riley Walz 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 honor Riley Walz upon the occasion of winning the Living the Example Video Contest by Mentor Foundation USA; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Riley Walz.