2013-J563

Commending Rodger L. Yem upon the occasion of being named Student of the Year by the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education, Inc.

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2013-J563


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rodger L. Yem upon the occasion of
being named Student of the Year by the New York Association for
Continuing/Community Education, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take notice of and
acknowledge those individuals who have distinguished themselves through
their exemplary pursuit of education as adults; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Rodger L.
Yem upon the occasion of being named Student of the Year by the New York
Association for Continuing/Community Education, Inc., to be celebrated
at its 30th Annual Awards and Legislative Event on March 5-6, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Thoeun Yem, also known by his American name of Rodger, is an
immigrant from Cambodia who came to Madison-Oneida BOCES Literacy Zone
to get his General Education Diploma in 2010; before that, he lived in
south Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and left school in his junior year
where he began to hang out with a fast and dangerous group of kids head-
ed for trouble; and
WHEREAS, Becoming somewhat disruptive and having to move out of his
parents' house, the streets of South Philadelphia became Rodger Yem's
life; his mother had always taught him an important lesson on how to
strive and to always do his very best; this manner of succeeding in all
areas of pursuit helped him with obtaining the necessary skills and
perseverance to endure what would help him during his teenage years and
young adult life; and
WHEREAS, Even while participating in prohibited activities Rodger Yem
always had a secret desire to finish school and get his high school
diploma, and periodically he would find his way into a program only to
have the negative lifestyle pull him back; and
WHEREAS, Later on, Rodger Yem moved to the Utica, New York area and
his life began to change for the better by finding a job, settling down
and having a family; he enrolled in the local GED program at BOCES and
at first found it to be difficult; and
WHEREAS, Being out of school for some time made comprehension diffi-
cult for Rodger Yem; he had problems with reading and math; since
English is his second language, he had an additional barrier causing him
to work twice as hard to understand the material; and
WHEREAS, Rodger Yem worked hard and passed the exam and received his
General Education Diploma; in addition, while attaining his GED, he
simultaneously studied for his United States citizenship and it was
granted to him a month after earning his diploma; and
WHEREAS, Rodger Yem is employed at Federal Sheet Metal and his math
knowledge has assisted him in calculating measurements for duct work
installation; he credits his teachers and caseworkers for all the guid-
ance they gave him while attending classes and hopes that one day he too
can be an inspiration to those that will seek his help; and
WHEREAS, Rodger Yem feels that this profession will allow him to
encourage young men and women who may be going through difficult times
to see that they too can find positive ways to respond to problems and
not seek out negative solutions to their issues as he did; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Rodger Yem went back to South Philadelphia to save
his younger brother Dann; he learned that Dann had joined the local
gangs and was headed for trouble; and
WHEREAS, Rodger Yem brought Dann home to live in Utica, and got him
enrolled in the same GED class; Dann also passed and earned his diploma;
he too is now going to Mohawk Valley Community College studying Psychol-
ogy; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Rodger Yem's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout all of his life struggles and schooling, Rodger
Yem may now stand with just pride in assessing his achievements, experi-
encing the satisfaction of his labors and the joy of his accomplish-
ments, eager to face the challenge of new ventures; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rodger L. Yem upon the occasion of being named Student of the
Year by the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rodger L. Yem.

actions

  • 21 / Feb / 2013
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 28 / Feb / 2013
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 28 / Feb / 2013
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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