Senate Resolution No. 2574

BY: Senator PERALTA

WELCOMING the students and faculty of the
Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf as
they visit Albany, New York, on June 6, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
welcome the students and faculty of the Lexington School for the
Deaf/Center for the Deaf as they visit Albany, New York, on June 6,
2017; and

WHEREAS, It is central to the mission of the Lexington School for
the Deaf/Center for the Deaf to be an exemplary education, service and
research institution for the deaf and hard of hearing in Metropolitan
New York City and the Nation; and

WHEREAS, The Lexington School has helped and continues to facilitate
the deaf and hard of hearing in overcoming great barriers to learning,
growing, and thriving in a complex world; and

WHEREAS, 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 is the largest
school for the deaf in New York State, with its student body residing
throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and

WHEREAS, In addition to its strong academic program, the Lexington
School for the Deaf offers a broad range of physical and cultural
education programs, including a highly regarded basketball team; 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
establishing several affiliate agencies to support the needs of deaf and
hard of hearing children and adults; this included the Lexington Center
for Mental Health Services; the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center; and
the Lexington Vocational Services, a New York State Education Department

- Vocational Services for Individuals with Disabilities-funded program;
and

WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf
developed a new approach to teaching in the mid-1990s; it became the
first Mediated Learning educational model in a school for the deaf,
which earned it the federal designation of a Most Effective Practices
school; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
welcome the students and faculty of the Lexington School for the
Deaf/Center for the Deaf as they visit Albany, New York, on June 6,
2017, and to wish them well in all their future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf.