Senate Resolution No. 103

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 25 - July 1, 2023, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind
Awareness Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
celebrate a week that is set aside to promote and raise public awareness
and attention concerning deaf-blindness and highlight the contributions
of those who have this disability; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 25 - July 1, 2023, as
Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Helen Keller Deaf-Blind
Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, Deaf-blindness is one of the most severe of all
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, President Reagan declared the last week of June as
Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, which was an action enforced as
a result of a joint Senate and House resolution; and

WHEREAS, Helen Keller is the most accomplished, respected and
renowned American who was deaf-blind; and

WHEREAS, Born June 27, 1880, and died June 1, 1968, Helen Keller
made a significant impact in the month of June, with the way she has
lived her life as a deaf and blind author, political activist and
lecturer; and

WHEREAS, Although she was born with both vision and sound senses,
she lost her ability to see and hear at the tender age of 19 months due
to an illness which was possibly meningitis or scarlet fever; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of New York to prevent
the waste of human resources by encouraging the full participation of
Americans with severe multisensory disabilities in our economy by
fostering employment, housing and recreational options for people who
are deaf-blind, thus maximizing their opportunities for a productive
life in the community of their choice; and

WHEREAS, Independent living means an ability to function smoothly
and easily within the structure of society, being able to communicate
with others to obtain useful information, travel freely and without
fear, and have the ability to perform chores and work that are necessary
for survival; and

WHEREAS, It is highly appropriate to publicize the needs, abilities
and potential of our fellow citizens who are deaf-blind, and to
recognize Helen Keller as a guiding example of courage, hope,
determination and achievement for other individuals who are deaf-blind;
and


WHEREAS, Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week is an opportunity to
urge and encourage the residents of New York to support programs which
have the objective to empower and educate people from the deaf-blind
community of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 25 - July 1, 2023, as
Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.