Honor Atif Akhter for Service

April 26, 2018 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 Atif Akhter upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council-Long Island, at its Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration to be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018, 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, Atif Akhter will be recognized for his 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, Atif Akhter is a student at St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, New York, where he volunteers as a school representative during its open houses and fundraisers; in addition, he is a Senior Shepherd, playing an integral role in the school's campus ministry program by assisting in soup kitchens, adult care facilities and special needs communities; and WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Atif Akhter participated in Project Rebuild where he helped families in West Virginia by performing home improvements such as painting, plastering and carpentry; and WHEREAS, Atif Akhter has also raised significant funds for the impoverished people of his ancestral hometown in Kishanganj, Bihar India; he then visited the flood damaged area and created ration boxes that would feed 130 families for more than four weeks; and WHEREAS, Atif Akhter is a credit to his family, school, community, and his State and Nation, and it is certain that his future will be filled with accomplishments of equal importance; and WHEREAS, With his sense of civic duty and his commitment to others, Atif Akhter 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 Atif Akhter upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Jewish Community Relations Council-Long Island, at its Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration on April 26, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Atif Akhter.