Session 2000
Effective: April 28, 2000
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1856 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � A Resolution congratulating and commending Ben Lerner.
� � � WHEREAS,� Ben Lerner, now a student at Brown University, is commended
for his outstanding leadership in forensics and stellar representation of Kansas
in foreign extemporaneous speaking; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Ben Lerner was the 1997 national champion in foreign extem-
poraneous speaking and a National Forensic League All American in 1996 and
1997. He has the distinction of being the all time point leader of the National
Forensic League being named the top single competitor in National Forensic
League history. He is the only Topeka High School graduate to qualify all four
years as a national qualifier in Lincoln Douglas Debate and Foreign Extem-
poraneous Speaking and took 6th in the nation in 1997 in the Lincoln Douglas
Debate; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Ben Lerner was the class 6A state speech champion in extem-
poraneous speaking for 1995, 1996 and 1997 and a member of the Class 6A
sweepstakes state champions for 1995, 1996 and 1997; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Ben Lerner has demonstrated remarkable skill with language
in the realms of politics, public service, prose and poetry, having moderated
the Topeka mayoral debates in 1997, spoken on behalf of environmental causes
in Kansas Senate hearings and at the City Council, was active on the Heritage
Panel and was a published poet; and

� � � WHEREAS, Ben Lerner was inducted at Brown University into the Society
of Royce Fellows for his record of creativity and leadership; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Ben Lerner is the son of Steve and Harriet Lerner: Now, there-
fore,

� � � Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:�That we congratulate
and commend Ben Lerner upon his many successes in forensics and extem-
poraneous speaking; his distinguished record of leadership and for the credit
he has brought to his family and his state; and

� � � Be it further resolved:�That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to
provide an enrolled copy of this resolution to Ben Lerner in care of Mr. and
Mrs. Steve Lerner, 407 Greenwood, Topeka, Kansas 66606.

Senate Resolution No. 1856 was sponsored by Senator Marge Petty.