LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mahirwe Dina Ndeze upon the occasion
of being named Student of the Year by the New York Association for
Continuing/Community Education, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take notice and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary pursuit of education as adults; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Mahirwe Dina Ndeze upon the occasion of being named Student of the Year
by the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education, Inc., at
its 28th Annual Student Awards and Legislative Event on March 8-9, 2011
in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze understands better than anyone the value
of education and the challenges and obstacles that are faced by some
trying to obtain that education, particularly as an adult; and
WHEREAS, Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze
came to the United States in August of 2008, with her three brothers,
her sister-in-law, and their young children; and
WHEREAS, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze has 11 years of formal education, eight of
which she obtained while living in a refugee camp in Uganda; and
WHEREAS, Prior to living in the refugee camp, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze's
life was difficult due to the civil unrest throughout the Congo which
made achieving an education impossible, as she and her family spent
their days fearing for their lives and hiding and looking for food,
clothing and shelter; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving in the United States, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze
enrolled in a construction trades program that included English as a
Second Language instruction; and
WHEREAS, Soon after, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze enrolled in a certified nurs-
ing assistant program supported by English as a Second Language instruc-
tion in the Syracuse City School District through the Sidney Johnson
Vocational Center; and
WHEREAS, After passing the certification on the first attempt, Mahirwe
Dina Ndeze found employment at James Square Health and Rehabilitation
Center as a certified nursing assistant; and
WHEREAS, As a leader in the Congolese community in Syracuse, Mahirwe
Dina Ndeze has tried to unite the different tribes that are in conflict
back in the Congo; and
WHEREAS, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze encourages other Congolese refugees to
improve their reading and writing skills in their native language so
they can have an easier time learning to communicate in English, obtain
employment, and support their families; and
WHEREAS, Mahirwe Dina Ndeze continues to be enrolled in adult educa-
tion courses through the North Literacy Zone in the Syracuse City School
District and is now enrolled in Pre-GED instruction with the goal of
receiving her GED, and then enrolling in a Licensed Practical Nursing
Program; and
WHEREAS, A vibrant, intelligent and caring young woman, Mahirwe Dina
Ndeze has demonstrated integrity and honor while using adult education
programming to change the course of her entire future; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mahirwe Dina Ndeze on the occasion of being named Student of the
Year by the New York Association of Continuing/Community Education,
Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mahirwe Dina Ndeze.