Honor Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson

Senate Resolution No. 1594 BY: Senator COMRIE HONORING Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens County, on June 2, 2019 WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the compassion of individuals such as Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson who uphold the values of community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize the best of humanity; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens County, to be celebrated at its 32nd Annual Black & White Awards Banquet: "Women's Empowerment, Legacy, Reclamation and Renewal" on Sunday, June

2, 2019, at Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and WHEREAS, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson is proud to be both a native of Brooklyn, New York, and a graduate of the same New York City public school system in which she now teaches and guides students in their post-secondary planning; and WHEREAS, After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca College, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson went on to earn a Master's degree in Education from Hunter College in Manhattan, and completed the American Sign Language/English Interpreter Education Program at LaGuardia Community College; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson recently earned a second Bachelor's Degree in Human Services/American Sign Language Interpreting from Empire State College of the State University of New York, where she is also an adjunct professor of educational studies; and WHEREAS, As a College and Career Advisor at City-As-School (CAS) High School, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson works with a wide range of students to help them choose their next steps after high school, whether it's college, job training, military service or straight into the world of work; and WHEREAS, As a result of her work, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson was elected to a three-year term as a high school delegate for the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC), the New York State affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), of which she is also an active member; and WHEREAS, In addition to her full-time job at CAS, Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson is an active member of the Breadloaf Teacher Network, an international group of teachers who strive to provide innovative and engaging ways for students to become stronger readers and writers; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman has also worked as a community based American Sign Language/English Interpreter for more than 20 years, seeking to fill the gap between the Black Deaf community and white interpreters who may have strong ASL skills but lack the cultural knowledge to effectively serve Black Deaf consumers; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Anthony, and her daughter, Adunni (Jean), as well as two grandchildren, Nasir and Skyler, who have all shown her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson, that future generations may know and appreciate her admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens County, on June 2, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Rhea Ummi Modeste-Rogerson.