Senate Resolution No. 44

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Barbara Sommer upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Senior Lifetime
Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior
Issues Forum on October 10, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Barbara Sommer upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior Issues
Forum to be celebrated at its 19th Annual Senior Lifetime Achievement
Award Ceremony on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at Congregation Beth
Emeth in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Capital District Senior Issues Forum is a voluntary
initiative among faith communities, organizations and individuals which
provides support for seniors in the capital district through education
and dialogue; and

WHEREAS, Since 1998, this vital organization has focused on senior
housing issues by bringing together caregivers, faith organizations,
government officials, housing facilities, administrators and seniors
themselves; and

WHEREAS, For the past 19 years, the Capital District Senior Issues
Forum has honored hundreds of senior citizens over the age of 85 for
their lifetime achievements; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Sommer is being recognized as an extraordinary
senior for her tireless efforts in making a difference in the lives of
others and for giving selflessly in community service; and

WHEREAS, Born on November 26, 1932, Barbara Sommer grew up in Albany
where she lived in a loving home which was oftentimes filled with
relatives whom her parents assisted; years later, she would take over
their nurturing role and take care of them and her sister; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Sommer attended Public School 19 and Milne High
School; after graduating, she majored in home economics at Cornell
University in Ithaca, New York; later, she transferred to Cornell's
nursing program in New York City; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 1952, Barbara Sommer was part of a
six-week mission trip which helped build a health center within an
Arizona Navajo reservation; five years later, she took part in a
four-week mission with the Quaker organization helping to rebuild a road
for an Austrian community; and

WHEREAS, After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing,
Barbara Sommer worked as a visiting nurse in the Bronx; she continued
her mission work with the Quakers by assisting with camps held within
various New York City communities; she eventually moved to Boston to
continue her nursing career at Massachusetts General Hospital caring for
patients in the Neurosurgery unit; and

WHEREAS, Years later, Barbara Sommer returned to her hometown and
joined the nursing staff at Albany Medical Center where she met her late
husband, John Sommer; after they married, the couple settled down in
Slingerlands, New York, where he started a dental practice; and

WHEREAS, With the birth of her first child, Barbara Sommer stayed
home to raise her children; during this time, she continued with
volunteer activities through various school, church and town functions;
after her fourth and last child entered kindergarten, she returned to
Albany Medical Center to work in the medical surgery unit as an
in-charge nurse; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Sommer returned to school for her nursing
recertification, and later worked at Bedrosian and Dropkin OB-GYN
practice; after her husband retired, they moved to Bangor, Maine where
they lived for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, Barbara Sommer and her husband returned to New
York and bought a home in Delmar where she quickly became a vital and
treasured member of her community; she diligently worked to help her
family, local schools and churches, and other neighborhoods succeed and
excel; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Barbara Sommer has displayed
throughout her life; she is an involved, caring person, who is always
willing and able to lend a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind
word; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
honor Barbara Sommer upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior
Issues Forum on October 10, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Barbara Sommer.