Declare Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

Senate Resolution No. 1174 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 30-July 6, 2019, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and celebrate a week that is set aside to promote and raise public awareness and attention concerning deaf-blindness and highlight the contributions of those who have this disability; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 30-July 6, 2019, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, Deaf-blindness is one of the most severe of all disabilities; and WHEREAS, In 1984, President Reagan declared the last week of June as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, which was an action enforced as a result of a joint Senate and House resolution; and WHEREAS, Helen Keller is the most accomplished, respected and renowned American who was deaf-blind; and WHEREAS, Born June 27, 1880, and died June 1, 1968, Helen Keller made a significant impact in the month of June, with the way she has lived her life as a deaf and blind author, political activist and lecturer; and WHEREAS, Although she was born with both vision and sound senses, she lost her ability to see and hear at the tender age of 19 months due to an illness which was possibly meningitis or scarlet fever; and WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of New York to prevent the waste of human resources by encouraging the full participation of Americans with severe multisensory disabilities in our economy by fostering employment, housing and recreational options for people who are deaf-blind, thus maximizing their opportunities for a productive life in the community of their choice; and WHEREAS, Independent living means an ability to function smoothly and easily within the structure of society, being able to communicate with others to obtain useful information, travel freely and without fear, and have the ability to perform chores and work that are necessary for survival; and WHEREAS, It is highly appropriate to publicize the needs, abilities and potential of our fellow citizens who are deaf-blind, and to recognize Helen Keller as a guiding example of courage, hope, determination and achievement for other individuals who are deaf-blind; and WHEREAS, Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week is an opportunity to urge and encourage the residents of New York to support programs which have the objective to empower and educate people from the deaf-blind community of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 30-July 6, 2019, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.