LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Abubakar Ali upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2013 Bruce R. James Distinguished
Service Award by the Rochester Institute of Technology

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Abubakar Ali has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Abubakar Ali
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2013 Bruce R.
James Distinguished Service Award by the Rochester Institute of Technol-
ogy; and
WHEREAS, Abubakar Ali has overcome significant obstacles to come to
Rochester and attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, traveling
from his native Somalia through Kenya and Lansing, Michigan, not knowing
English or sign language when arriving in the United States; and
WHEREAS, While in Somalia, Abubakar Ali helped found and is a past
president of the Somalia National Association of the Deaf; and
WHEREAS, Abubakar Ali worked as an advocate for the deaf; and
WHEREAS, On campus, Abubakar Ali serves as a Senator in the RIT
Student Government and started an organization entitled Make a Friend
with the mission to encourage outreach between deaf and hearing
students; and
WHEREAS, Abubakar Ali has involved himself in this community, serving
as an AmeriCorps volunteer, interning with the Center for Youth of
Rochester where he works with homeless young people and volunteering at
St. Mary's Place helping to teach English to the children of refugees;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Abubakar Ali has displayed through-
out his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Abubakar Ali upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2013 Bruce R. James Distinguished Service Award by the Rochester
Institute of Technology, and to wish him continued success in his
studies at RIT; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Abubakar Ali.