LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ted DeSoyza as she is honored by the
WESPAC Foundation at its 28th Annual Awards Dinner on April 29, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations
and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Ted DeSoyza as she is honored by the WESPAC Foundation at its 28th Annu-
al Awards Dinner, to be held at the Women's Club in White Plains, New
York on Thursday, April 29, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Established to support the work of the Westchester People's
Action Coalition (WESPAC), the WESPAC Foundation has been the leading
force in Westchester County for peace and justice work for over three
decades; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Annual Awards Dinner WESPAC recognizes the
work of a few local individuals who have done outstanding work for
social justice and this year proudly honors Ted DeSoyza for her lifelong
work advocating for children, people with disabilities and a more peace-
ful world; and
WHEREAS, Ted DeSoyza was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 11, 1928
to Italian immigrants who had come to the United States as children; she
entered the Franciscan Sisters of Mill Hill Convent in London in 1949 at
the age of 21; she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from
Fordham University and taught Primary grades in Harlem as well as in
Virginia and Pennsylvania for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, She left the convent in 1964 and in 1971, after giving birth
to Miriam, who had Down Syndrome, Ted DeSoyza and her late husband
Dallas founded two schools in the Bronx for infants, toddlers, and pre-
school children with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Ted DeSoyza has been very active in social justice and the
peace movement in Westchester County and is an inspiration to countless
numbers of activists; part of her social justice work includes working
with gangs on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, serving as an advisor
for CHILD CARE, INC., and teaching English as a Second Language at the
Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford and at the Adult Learning
Center in New Rochelle for three years; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ted DeSoyza as she is honored by the WESPAC Foundation at its
28th Annual Awards Dinner on April 29, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ted DeSoyza.