Honor Barbara Sommer Award

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.