LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Salvatore Ferrera, Ph.D. upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Ralph Sansone
Foundation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Salvatore Ferrera, Ph.D. upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Ralph Sansone Foundation; this auspicious
occasion will be celebrated at the Foundation's annual scholarship
dinner, to be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Ralph Sansone (RJS) Foundation was formed 23 years ago in
memory of Ralph Sansone, who died tragically in a plane crash at an
early age; to honor his life, Mary and Zack Sansone, decided to do some-
thing meaningful for the children of their community who might follow
the path of his life as a successful lawyer and labor arbitrator,
husband and father, and community activist; and
WHEREAS, Initially, the RJS Foundation established a scholarship
program at Ralph Sansone's alma mater, Bishop Ford High School; it now
also endows a scholarship program at Brooklyn Law School where Ralph
Sansone received his law degree; and
WHEREAS, Salvatore Ferrera received his Ph.D. in Education from Ford-
ham University in 2000; he also holds an M.A. in Administration and an
M.S. in Health Sciences from New York University, and a B.A. in Second-
ary Education from Manhattan College; and
WHEREAS, Licensed as a New York City High School Principal, a New York
City Junior High School Principal, a New York City Elementary School
Principal, and a New York City School District Administrator, Salvatore
Ferrera is certified as a New York State science educator, a New York
State school district administrator, and a New York State health educa-
tor; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Salvatore Ferrera is the President of The Child
School/Legacy High School; as Chief Executive Officer of the school, he
is responsible for overall organization and operation of a K-12 program
that serves children with learning disabilities; and
WHEREAS, From 1993 to 2009, Salvatore Ferrera was the President of
Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, New York, one of New York's most pres-
tigious private academic institutions; among many successes and accom-
plishments, he: developed a scholarship fund that improved minority
enrollment to 28 percent; established the RYKEN Program, the only
program in New York City for children with learning disabilities that
results in college placement; and originated an international exchange
program with schools in Italy, Romania, Australia, Russia, Argentina,
Japan, and Germany; and
WHEREAS, Previously, Salvatore Ferrera was the Principal and Assistant
Principal of Public School 204 in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Salvatore Ferrera is a member of the Board of
Trustees/Education Committee of Xaverian High School, and a member of
both the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the
National Catholic Educators' Association; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Salvatore Ferrera is an extraordinarily active
volunteer at the Guild for Exceptional Children and for the Congress of
Italian-Americans Organization; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Salvatore Ferrera,
Ph.D. has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has
earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Salvatore Ferrera, Ph.D. has
displayed throughout his life; 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 recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Salvatore Ferrera, Ph.D. upon the occasion of his desig-
nation for special recognition by the Ralph Sansone Foundation; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Salvatore Ferrera, Ph.D.