Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) and his Assembly Republican colleagues honored Greece's Jason "J-Mac" McElwain with an Excelsior Award for Excellence for his amazing performance as a basketball player in spite of his autism. The annual award honors the extraordinary achievements and public service of individuals who have overcome physical and other personal challenges. The presentation was made June 6. Jason McElwain received national attention as the 17-year-old autistic team manager of the Greece Athena Trojans basketball team who scored twenty points in four minutes during one of the last home games of the regular season. Assembly Reilich noted autism is the third most-common developmental disability in the United States. It affects over 26,000 people in New York, and one in 500 children will be diagnosed with the disorder. "Today is full of great excitement and success; it is not the only accomplishment Jason has realized in his life. He is a good brother, a devoted son and an active member of his school," said Reilich. "He enjoys time with his friends and feels at home both on and off the court." June 11, 2006 |
