Senate Resolution No. 470 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the New York State School for the Deaf WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the citizens of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State School for the Deaf to be celebrated on Thursday, March 20, 2025; and WHEREAS, In the summer of 1874, Alphonso Johnson, a graduate of the New York Institution for the Deaf, as well as a teacher there, settled in Rome, New York, with the intention of establishing a school for the deaf; he was assisted by Dr. Thomas Gallaudet who became a trustee of the school; the school was named the Central New York Institution for Deaf-Mutes; and WHEREAS, On March 22, 1875, a rented house, which was used as the original location for the school, opened for the instruction of four students; Alphonso Johnson was both the principal and teacher; and WHEREAS, The first academic year of the school commenced on September 1, 1875; exactly one year later, Edward Beverly Nelson, a graduate of Harvard University and former teacher at the New York Institution, assumed principalship of the school; and WHEREAS, By 1878, enrollment had reached approximately 100 students, necessitating the need for additional buildings; in 1879, the boys' building was completed, and the girls' building was completed two years later; and WHEREAS, In 1887, the New York State Legislature granted the Institution $40,000 which was utilized for the construction of the main building of the campus, a hospital, a boiler house, and a principal's residence; the main building (later named Gallaudet Hall) was occupied on January 7, 1890; and WHEREAS, The new name for the school, the Central New York School for the Deaf, was adopted in 1931; on July 1, 1963, by an act of the New York State Legislature, the school became a state facility with powers transferred from a corporation to the jurisdiction of the State Education Department and the Board of Regents; the name of the school was changed to the New York State School for the Deaf; and WHEREAS, A new school campus was planned in the Fall of 1965; a generous appropriation of funding from the New York State Legislature brought construction to fruition; by September of 1967, the pre-primary building was occupied, and two years later, the dormitory-infirmary complex was completed; the administration-education complex was completed in September of 1971, a significant contrast to the humble beginning in a rented house; and WHEREAS, The success of the New York State School for the Deaf is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations 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 commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State School for the Deaf; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the New York State School for the Deaf.