Honor Nora Lum for Award

Senate Resolution No. 1306 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Nora Lum upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nora Lum upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association to be celebrated with a Gala on May 4, 2019, at Wolfert's Roost, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award recognizes early outstanding achievements in a chosen profession or field and/or service to the community; and WHEREAS, Nora Lum earned notoriety as the first Asian female rapper, Awkwafina, when her self-produced music video went viral on YouTube in

2012; she wrote the lyrics in her dorm room while a student at the University at Albany (UAlbany) a few years earlier, a time when only close friends knew of her alter ego; and WHEREAS, Today, Nora Lum is renowned as Awkwafina, a comedian, television host, movie star, and perhaps most importantly, an inspiration for girls and young women all over the world; and WHEREAS, Born in Queens, New York, to a Chinese-American father and South Korean immigrant mother, Nora Lum's paternal grandmother greatly influenced her outgoing nature and bold sense of humor; and WHEREAS, Nora Lum attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts where she played trumpet and fueled her love affair with hip hop by writing rap lyrics and recording beats; she continued to write and record in college, adding stand-up comedy and personal essay writing to her creative portfolio; and WHEREAS, In 2011, Nora Lum graduated with honors from UAlbany with bachelor's degrees in journalism and women's studies; and WHEREAS, Just one year later, Nora Lum's music video went viral and the self-produced parody of the boastfulness of conventional rap lyrics garnered millions of views, sparking Awkwafina's status as an Asian American pop culture phenomenon; and WHEREAS, The artist's debut album, "Yellow Ranger," appeared in

2014, and in 2016, she was profiled in the Tribeca Film Festival selection, "Bad Rap," and collaborated with comedian Margaret Cho in the music video for "Green Tea"; and WHEREAS, In addition, she co-hosted MTV's weekly late-night talk show, "Girl Code Live!" and hosted her own web series, "TAWK," on Verizon's go90.com; and WHEREAS, In 2018, a breakout year for this extraordinary young woman, Nora Lum released her second rap album, "In Fina We Trust," and shined as Constance in the film, "Ocean's Eight"; she stole the show as the lovable and eccentric Peik Lin Goh in "Crazy Rich Asians," and hosted iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards and Saturday Night Live; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, The Hollywood Reporter named Awkwafina one of "Hollywood's Rising Stars 35 and Under"; and WHEREAS, Nora Lum is the voice of Courtney in "The Angry Birds Movie

2," due to be released in 2019, and is currently filming the sequel to "Jumanji"; and WHEREAS, With a deep and abiding love for her alma mater, Nora Lum visited UAlbany as part of the New York State Writers Institute (NYSWI) Fall 2017 Visiting Writers series; she spent time with former professors and held a meet and greet with students, autographing copies of her recently published travel guide, Awkwafina's New York City; and WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Nora Lum upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Nora Lum.