Senate Resolution No. 1594

BY: Senator COMRIE

HONORING Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson upon the
occasion of her designation for special recognition
by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens
County, on June 2, 2019

WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson who uphold
the values of community life and who, through their great actions,
epitomize the best of humanity; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rhea Ummi
Modeste-Rogerson upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens County,
to be celebrated at its 32nd Annual Black & White Awards Banquet:
"Women's Empowerment, Legacy, Reclamation and Renewal" on Sunday, June
2, 2019, at Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and

WHEREAS, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson is proud to be both a native of
Brooklyn, New York, and a graduate of the same New York City public
school system in which she now teaches and guides students in their
post-secondary planning; and

WHEREAS, After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca
College, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson went on to earn a Master's degree in
Education from Hunter College in Manhattan, and completed the American
Sign Language/English Interpreter Education Program at LaGuardia
Community College; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson recently earned a
second Bachelor's Degree in Human Services/American Sign Language
Interpreting from Empire State College of the State University of New
York, where she is also an adjunct professor of educational studies; and

WHEREAS, As a College and Career Advisor at City-As-School (CAS)
High School, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson works with a wide range of
students to help them choose their next steps after high school, whether
it's college, job training, military service or straight into the world
of work; and

WHEREAS, As a result of her work, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson was
elected to a three-year term as a high school delegate for the New York
State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC), the New
York State affiliate of the National Association for College Admission
Counseling (NACAC), of which she is also an active member; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her full-time job at CAS, Rhea Ummi
Modeste-Rogerson is an active member of the Breadloaf Teacher Network,
an international group of teachers who strive to provide innovative and
engaging ways for students to become stronger readers and writers; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman has also worked as a community
based American Sign Language/English Interpreter for more than 20 years,
seeking to fill the gap between the Black Deaf community and white

interpreters who may have strong ASL skills but lack the cultural
knowledge to effectively serve Black Deaf consumers; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson
has displayed throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Anthony, and her
daughter, Adunni (Jean), as well as two grandchildren, Nasir and Skyler,
who have all shown her love and support and rejoice in her many
achievements; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson, that future generations may know and
appreciate her admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the
respect and esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.,
Queens County, on June 2, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson.