LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Yolanda and Emilio Suarez upon the
occasion of their designation by the Bensonhurst West End Community
Council as the recipients of the Couple of the Year Award at its Golden
Anniversary Gala on March 24, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in the Empire State are greatly enriched by the faith-
ful and generous service of those who distinguish themselves in their
profession and in service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Yolanda and Emilio Suarez upon the occasion of their designation by the
Bensonhurst West End Community Council as the recipients of the Couple
of the Year Award at its Golden Anniversary Gala, to be held at The
Riviera in Brooklyn on Thursday, March 24, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Bensonhurst West End Community Council (BWECC) proudly
acts as a guardian of the community, working diligently and creatively
to improve the quality of life of the community's residents, merchants,
and children; and
WHEREAS, This year as it celebrates 50 years of service at its Golden
Anniversary Gala, the Bensonhurst West End Community Council joyfully
honors those who have distinguished themselves in service to their
community as well as those who have supported the Council and have
helped to further its efforts; and
WHEREAS, Yolanda and Emilio Suarez truly merit this high honor; and
WHEREAS, Jose Emilio de Jesus Suarez y Garcia was born and lived in
Puebla, Mexico for fourteen years; on January 4, 1964, he and his family
left their hometown and arrived in New York City the following day to
make a new life for themselves; and
WHEREAS, Emilio Suarez attended Arthur Cunningham Junior High School
where he gained some fluency in English and went on to graduate from
James Madison High School in 1965, after which, in 1970, he earned an
Associate in Applied Sciences degree in Design Drafting from what is now
known as CUNY New York City Technical College and, later, a bachelor's
degree in Education from Buffalo State College; and
WHEREAS, Emilio Suarez began his career in education in September 1973
as a teacher in Dutchess County at Rombout Middle School in Beacon, New
York; in 1977, he started teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
in the Autonomous University of Puebla, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Yolanda Acevedo Nino de Rivera was also born in Puebla; one
of seven children, she has five sisters and a brother; she met Emilio
Suarez at the Autonomous University of Puebla in 1984 when she was work-
ing as an Executive Secretary in the University's Center of Linguistic
Sciences; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, after Emilio and Yolanda's marriage on February 16,
1985, Emilio Suarez did graduate study at the University of Essex in
England, earning a master's degree in Applied Linguistics in 1989; in
1991, Emilio started working at Boricua College in New York City as an
Educational Facilitator and full-time faculty member; and
WHEREAS, Now living in New York City, it was important for Yolanda
Suarez to learn English so Emilio Suarez approached the ESL (English as
a Second Language) teacher at PS 95 and Yolanda became a volunteer in
her classroom, where Yolanda could practice and learn English and, at
the same time, help the children and the teacher; and
WHEREAS, Yolanda and Emilio Suarez's sons Zyolemi and Angelzye were
born in New York City; when their eldest son, Zyolemi, completed kinder-

garten, they moved and, in 1992, enrolled him, and subsequently Angelzye
as well, at PS 153; both sons are now proud PS 153 graduates; and
WHEREAS, Together, Yolanda and Emilio Suarez have ably and generously
served the PS 153 community conducting ESL classes for parents, enabling
many moms and dads to learn English through their enthusiastic and
outstanding efforts; and
WHEREAS, Professor Suarez has volunteered his time and services at PS
153 since 1992, when his son Zyolemi entered the school; his partic-
ipation in the school's first Leadership Team and his service on the
interviewing committee (C30) for an Assistant Principal are among the
many ways he has contributed his time and talents to the school; and
WHEREAS, For many years, from 1993-2003, Yolanda Suarez was a valued
and involved volunteer at PS 153; in addition, she was the Corresponding
Secretary of the Executive Board of the PS 153 PTA in 1997; two years
later, in 1999, she became the Treasurer of the PTA; in 2000, she was
honored with District 21's Century Award in recognition of her positive
impact on the District's children and families and, in 2001, she was
elected President of the PS 153 PTA; and
WHEREAS, Yolanda Suarez went to work for the Chinese-American Planning
Council in its After-School Program as a Teacher Aide and was quickly
promoted to Group Leader; her passion and capability in helping children
with their homework and in leading group activities were evident and, in
the year 2000, she was promoted to the position of Program Activities
Specialist; and, a year later, she became the Assistant Site Director;
and
WHEREAS, In 2003, when the New York City Department of Education
introduced the full-time position of Parent Coordinator, Yolanda Suarez
was chosen from among 50 applicants as the first full-time Parent Coor-
dinator at PS 153, and she continues serving, most ably, as a liaison
between the parents and staff at PS 153 during the day, and after school
at the Chinese-American Planning Council's After-School Program; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to her work and to serving the children and commu-
nity she loves, in 2006, Yolanda Suarez completed a Southern California
School of Interpretation program improving her ability to translate
educational materials in order to better serve her beloved PS 153 commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Esteemed and concerned members of the Bensonhurst community,
Yolanda and Emilio Suarez believe deeply in, and never miss an opportu-
nity to emphasize the importance of mastering the English language and
the subsequent rewards, opportunities, and responsibilities of receiving
an education, raising a family, and living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals, such as Yolanda and Emilio Suarez, who distinguish themselves in
their professions and work to meet the needs of their community and its
citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the
quality of life in the community are brought to our attention, they
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great
State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Bensonhurst West End Community Council and to applaud Yolan-
da and Emilio Suarez upon the occasion of their designation by the Coun-
cil as the recipients of the Couple of the Year Award at BWECC's Golden
Anniversary Gala on March 24, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Yolanda and Emilio Suarez.