Senate Resolution No. 1435

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Helen
Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and
Adults

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst who have
made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
50th Anniversary of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind
Youths and Adults; and

WHEREAS, This momentous occasion is being recognized with numerous
activities throughout the year; the celebration kicked off with a Sip N'
Paint Event on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and will culminate with a
Luncheon on Saturday, October 7, 2017, which will pay tribute to
pioneers and innovators who have paved the way in service to the
deaf-blind community; and

WHEREAS, The origins of the Helen Keller National Center for
Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) go back to October 3, 1967, when
then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law amendments to the
Vocational Rehabilitation Act that called for a National Center for
people who are deaf-blind; and

WHEREAS, Staff training began immediately and in 1970, the National
Center moved into a converted warehouse in New Hyde Park, before moving
to its present headquarters in Sands Point, New York, in 1976; and

WHEREAS, HKNC is the national division of Helen Keller Services
(HKS), which also includes Helen Keller Services for the Blind, a
regional division serving the New York City/Long Island area; and

WHEREAS, The only organization of its kind, HKNC provides training
and resources exclusively to people age 16 and over who have combined
vision and hearing loss; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, HKNC provides support and learning
opportunities to professionals and family members, and maintains a
National Registry of Persons who are Deaf-Blind; and

WHEREAS, HKNC instructors are sensitive to the cultural differences
between students with different levels of hearing and vision loss and
varying educational backgrounds, providing individualized training and
guidance to each student; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its Executive Director Susan
Ruzenski, HKNC gives people who are deaf-blind the tools to live, work
and thrive in the communities of their choice; and

WHEREAS, A truly renowned and vital organization, students travel
from across the country to HKNC's headquarters in Sands Point, New York,
for on-campus training in assistive technology, vocational services,
orientation and mobility, as well as communication and independent
living; furthermore, its regional offices bring HKNC resources to
communities throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, Today, Helen Keller National Center oversees 11 regional
offices across the United States and is the only comprehensive national
program that provides information, referral, support, and training
exclusively to youths and adults who are deaf-blind; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 50 year history, HKNC has
demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which
it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of HKNC is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized
by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an
uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the
organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded 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 50th Anniversary of the Helen Keller National Center for
Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths
and Adults.