Honor Eagle Scout Achievement

June 10, 2018, at Plandome Village Hall in Plandome, New York; and WHEREAS, Matthew J. Palmadessa is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 71 in Plandome, New York; and WHEREAS, Throughout his Scouting career, Matthew J. Palmadessa has served as Patrol Leader, Den Chief, Instructor and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, as well as Crew Leader of the Troop's High Adventure Philmont trek; he received the Arrow of Light, and the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII religious medals, and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow; and WHEREAS, A senior at Manhasset High School, Matthew J. Palmadessa plays first trombone/baritone in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Brass Choir; he is the Brass Quartermaster of the New York State Champion Manhasset Indian Marching Band; and WHEREAS, Matthew J. Palmadessa served as Captain of the Boys Foil of the Varsity Fencing Team; and WHEREAS, An exceptional student, Matthew J. Palmadessa is a member of the Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Spanish, Tri-M and National Honor Societies; he has been recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and was chosen to receive the Sons of Italy Foundation's National Education and Leadership Scholarship; and WHEREAS, In addition, Matthew J. Palmadessa is the recipient of the Presidential Service Award, Gold Level and the Superintendent's Gold Letter of Recommendation; after graduating, he plans to major in biology at Cornell University with the hopes of becoming a doctor; and WHEREAS, Matthew J. Palmadess was named a Siemens Semifinalist for his science research project on the solar distillation of brackish water and continued his research this part summer at the Weill Cornell Medical College studying metabolic disease in liver cells; and WHEREAS, When he is not at school or working on a Scouting activity, Matthew J. Palmadessa enjoys volunteering at North Shore LIU Hospital or with the BRIDGE Program; and WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding citizens of this Nation; and WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation; and WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned by only five percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout; and WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting for many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of the necessary achievements, including completion of a community service project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed; and WHEREAS, Matthew J. Palmadessa's project benefitted the Science Museum of Long Island; using fallen trees from the property, he constructed eight new log benches for people to sit on in the fire pit area; he also refurbished the stones of the fire pit, cleaned up the rest of the site, and built a table to be used during outdoor classes by the museum's instructors; and WHEREAS, Matthew J. Palmadessa's perseverance in rising through the ranks to Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master difficult tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a leader, fully equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex society; and WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school, his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to congratulate and honor Matthew J. Palmadessa on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Matthew J. Palmadessa.