LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Haydee Contreras upon the occasion of
receiving the Outstanding Student of the Year Award from the Suffolk
Association for Continuing Community Education on June 6, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of 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 honor
Haydee Contreras upon the occasion of receiving the Outstanding Student
of the Year Award from the Suffolk Association for Continuing Community
Education at its Awards Dinner to be held on Monday, June 6, 2011, at
the Watermill Restaurant in Smithtown, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Suffolk Association for Continuing Community Education
(SACCE) was founded to promote lifelong learning opportunities for
adults within Suffolk County and beyond the county's borders; its
purpose is to advance adult education as a vital factor in adult growth,
development and fulfillment; and
WHEREAS, Through the sharing of resources and ideas with colleagues in
the Nassau Association, and under the umbrella of the New York State
Association, SACCE strives to increase the recognition of and respect
for continuing community education and its professionals; in addition,
it is the goal of the organization to exercise leadership in the advoca-
cy of adult community and continuing education at the local, state and
national levels; and
WHEREAS, Haydee Contreras left Guatemala in 1994, by herself, for
America; she settled temporarily in Boston, working in a factory making
sufficient money to provide an education for her children back home; and
WHEREAS, After four years, Haydee Contreras returned home to her fami-
ly, and within a year, she came back to America, and eventually decided
to make her dream of becoming literate come true; and
WHEREAS, As a child and the oldest of nine children, Haydee Contreras
forfeited education to help her parents clothe, feed and educate her
younger brothers and sisters; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 2008, Haydee Contreras registered in The Open-
ing Word Program; she suddenly became seriously ill and had to discon-
tinue the program; and
WHEREAS, Showing remarkable perseverance to continue her studies
despite her adversity, Haydee Contreras returned to school with her
familiar dignified, soft spoken, gracious, compassionate manner, and
with no less enthusiasm; and
WHEREAS, Displaying the courage and determination to achieve, Haydee
Contreras serves as an inspiration to all who are privileged to know
her; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Haydee Contreras is in a "Bridge Class"; she is
speaking, understanding, reading and writing English at a level of
achievement, which focuses on moving her toward her next dream of
attending classes at BOCES for cosmetology; and
WHEREAS, Suffolk Association for Continuing Community Education proud-
ly honors Haydee Contreras in recognition of her dedication, persever-
ance and fortitude; she has continuously demonstrated integrity and
honor while using Adult Education programming, and exemplifies the
virtues of an esteemed leader; and
WHEREAS, Haydee Contreras may now stand with just pride in assessing
her achievements, experiencing the satisfaction of her labors and the
joy of her accomplishments, eager to face the challenge of new ventures;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Haydee Contreras upon the occasion of receiving the Outstanding
Student of the Year Award from the Suffolk Association for Continuing
Community Education on June 6, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Haydee Contreras, 43 Lafayette Street, Huntington, New York
11743.