Senate Resolution No. 470

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the New
York State School for the Deaf

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State School for the
Deaf to be celebrated on Thursday, March 20, 2025; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 1874, Alphonso Johnson, a graduate of the
New York Institution for the Deaf, as well as a teacher there, settled
in Rome, New York, with the intention of establishing a school for the
deaf; he was assisted by Dr. Thomas Gallaudet who became a trustee of
the school; the school was named the Central New York Institution for
Deaf-Mutes; and

WHEREAS, On March 22, 1875, a rented house, which was used as the
original location for the school, opened for the instruction of four
students; Alphonso Johnson was both the principal and teacher; and

WHEREAS, The first academic year of the school commenced on
September 1, 1875; exactly one year later, Edward Beverly Nelson, a
graduate of Harvard University and former teacher at the New York
Institution, assumed principalship of the school; and

WHEREAS, By 1878, enrollment had reached approximately 100 students,
necessitating the need for additional buildings; in 1879, the boys'
building was completed, and the girls' building was completed two years
later; and

WHEREAS, In 1887, the New York State Legislature granted the
Institution $40,000 which was utilized for the construction of the main
building of the campus, a hospital, a boiler house, and a principal's
residence; the main building (later named Gallaudet Hall) was occupied
on January 7, 1890; and

WHEREAS, The new name for the school, the Central New York School
for the Deaf, was adopted in 1931; on July 1, 1963, by an act of the New
York State Legislature, the school became a state facility with powers
transferred from a corporation to the jurisdiction of the State
Education Department and the Board of Regents; the name of the school
was changed to the New York State School for the Deaf; and

WHEREAS, A new school campus was planned in the Fall of 1965; a
generous appropriation of funding from the New York State Legislature
brought construction to fruition; by September of 1967, the pre-primary
building was occupied, and two years later, the dormitory-infirmary
complex was completed; the administration-education complex was

completed in September of 1971, a significant contrast to the humble
beginning in a rented house; and

WHEREAS, The success of the New York State School for the Deaf is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State School for the
Deaf; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York State School for the Deaf.