LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION welcoming the students and faculty of the Lexing-
ton School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf as they visit Albany, New
York, on June 7, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of deaf youth in the Empire
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to welcome
the students and faculty of the Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for
the Deaf as they visit Albany, New York, on June 7, 2016; and
WHEREAS, It is central to the mission of the Lexington School for the
Deaf/Center for the Deaf to be an exemplary education, service and
research institution for the deaf and hard of hearing in Metropolitan
New York City and the Nation; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School has helped and continues to facilitate
the deaf and hard of hearing in overcoming great barriers to learning,
growing, and thriving in a complex world; and
WHEREAS, Lexington School for the Deaf was founded in 1864 when the
first class of six children and an instructor convened at the home of
Isaac and Hannah Rosenfeld; and
WHEREAS, Due to constantly increasing enrollment, the school moved
several times until it settled in 1882 at 904 Lexington Avenue with 161
students; in 1934, it officially became the Lexington School for the
Deaf; and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf continued to grow and in
1968, its new home was inaugurated on a seven-acre site at 30th Avenue
and 75th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Lexington School for the Deaf is the largest
school for the deaf in New York State, with its student body residing
throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its strong academic program, the Lexington
School for the Deaf offers a broad range of physical and cultural educa-
tion programs, including a highly regarded basketball team; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, the Lexington School for the Deaf became known
as the Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf after estab-
lishing several affiliate agencies to support the needs of deaf and hard
of hearing children and adults; this included the Lexington Center for
Mental Health Services; the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center; and the
Lexington Vocational Services, a New York State Education Department -
Vocational Services for Individuals with Disabilities-funded program;
and
WHEREAS, The Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf devel-
oped a new approach to teaching in the mid-1990s; it became the first
Mediated Learning educational model in a school for the deaf, which
earned it the federal designation of a Most Effective Practices school;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
welcome the students and faculty of the Lexington School for the
Deaf/Center for the Deaf as they visit Albany, New York, on June 7,

2016, and to wish them well in all their future endeavors; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf.