LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Lexington School for the Deaf upon
the occasion of hosting the 20th Annual Esther Lustig Memorial Basket-
ball Classic vs. Assembly/Senate All-Stars on Tuesday, June 7, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of deaf youth in the 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 the
Lexington School for the Deaf upon the occasion of hosting the 20th
Annual Esther Lustig Memorial Basketball Classic to be held at the Alba-
ny High School Gymnasium on Tuesday, June 7, 2016; and
WHEREAS, This annual contest will feature the Lexington School for the
Deaf versus the Assembly and Senate All-Stars; this special event is
named the Esther Lustig Memorial Basketball Classic in loving memory of
dear friend and colleague Esther Lustig; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf was founded in 1864 when
the first class of six children and an instructor convened at the home
of Isaac and Hannah Rosenfeld; and
WHEREAS, Due to constantly increasing enrollment, the school moved
several times until it settled in 1882, at 904 Lexington Avenue with 161
students; in 1934, it officially became the Lexington School for the
Deaf; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf continued to grow and in
1968, its new home was inaugurated on a seven-acre site at 30th Avenue
and 75th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Lexington School for the Deaf, with a student body
over 350, is the largest school for the deaf in New York State, and its
student body resides throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and
WHEREAS, A charter member of the 4201 Association, New York State-sup-
ported private schools for disabled children, the Lexington School for
the Deaf houses the only high school in New York City under the auspices
of the 4201 charter; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf has been recognized at the
local, national and international levels for its pioneering programs,
including the first nursery program for deaf children on the east coast
in 1937, a Research Department to promote the investigation of educa-
tional, developmental and vocational issues affecting deaf children and
adults in 1960, and a Special Education Unit for deaf children of all
ages with serious emotional problems in 1979; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, the Lexington School for the Deaf became known
as the Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf after estab-
lishing several affiliate agencies to support the needs of deaf and hard
of hearing children and adults, including the Lexington Center for
Mental Health Services, the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center and the
Lexington Vocational Services, a New York State Education Department-Vo-
cational Services for Individuals with Disabilities-funded program; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf developed a new approach to
teaching in the mid-1990s; it became the first Mediated Learning educa-
tional model in a school for the deaf, which earned it the federal
designation of a Most Effective Practices school; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its strong academic program, the Lexington
School for the Deaf offers a broad range of physical and cultural educa-
tion programs, including a highly regarded basketball team; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Joseph Crowley, a former member of the New York
State Assembly representing the Lexington School for the Deaf, estab-
lished the Lexington School versus the New York State Legislature
Basketball Game; and
WHEREAS, For more than 13 years, New York State Assemblyman Jeffrion
Aubry, Speaker Pro Tempore, has enthusiastically supported the Annual
Lexington School for the Deaf versus the New York State Assembly/Senate
All-Stars, and for the continued partnership with Assemblyman Michael G.
DenDekker, representative of Assembly District 34, the district in which
the Lexington School for the Deaf is located; this event will be played
on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at the Albany High School Gymnasium; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to extend its
highest commendation to all of the individuals who have been involved
with the Lexington School for the Deaf, past and present, noting the
importance of their work and their enduring commitment to deaf children;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Lexington School for the Deaf upon the occasion of hosting the
20th Annual Esther Lustig Memorial Basketball Classic; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Don Galloway, Superintendent/CEO; and Danny Gabel, Head
Coach.