Bill Text: NY J00419 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 419

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala on March 9, 2025

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-21 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00419 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00419-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 419

BY: Senator PARKER

        HONORING  Soh  Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion
        of her designation for special  recognition  at  the
        Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala on
        March 9, 2025

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend   individuals   whose   leadership,   advocacy,   and   artistic
contributions    have    enriched    communities,    fostered   cultural
understanding, and advanced the principles  of  diversity,  equity,  and
inclusion; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion of her designation  for  special
recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala, to
be  held  on  Sunday,  March  9, 2025, in celebration of Women's History
Month under the theme "Women of Destiny"; and

  WHEREAS, Born in Seoul, South Korea, and having lived  in  Paraguay,
Brazil,  and  Spain,  Soh  Young  Lee-Segredo  has dedicated her life to
bridging cultures, advocating for diversity, and using  the  arts  as  a
vehicle for social change; and

  WHEREAS,  From an early age, she demonstrated a strong commitment to
leadership and activism, serving as Vice  President  of  the  Red  Cross
Youth   Middle   School  Division  in  Seoul,  where  she  developed  an
understanding of global citizenship and humanitarian service; and

  WHEREAS, A multi-faceted artist, educator, and cultural  ambassador,
Soh   Young  Lee-Segredo  has  devoted  herself  to  empowering  diverse
communities  through  music,  storytelling,  education,  and   advocacy,
holding  leadership  roles  as  past director of the Multicultural Peace
Mission Choir, president of the Korea American  Association  of  Queens,
and president of the Multicultural Council of NY; and

  WHEREAS,  As  an  advisor  for  the  Gaia  Essence  Women's Wellness
Conference and president  of  the  Asian  Pacific  American  Council  of
Educators  (APACE),  Soh  Young  Lee-Segredo  actively  amplifies  Asian
voices, supports Asian teachers and parents,  and  promotes  educational
equity; and

  WHEREAS,  A distinguished performer, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has woven
together cultural traditions through music, leading  her  ensemble,  The
Soh  Young Ensemble, to debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, and
earning the KBS Korean Idol NY Competition award in 2007; and

  WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo  has  been  instrumental  in  Hofstra
University's  Annual  Celebration  of  Diversity  Gala, serving as Music
Coordinator since its inception, as well as a dedicated education  coach
for  the  Jackson  IB  PYP  School  in  the  Hempstead Union Free School
District; and

  WHEREAS, During  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  she  brought  communities
together  through  virtual  concerts and online cultural cooking classes
for the Queens Public Library, and in collaboration with the Long Island
Council of Churches, she  delivered  food  and  essential  resources  to
families in need; and

  WHEREAS,   Soh  Young  Lee-Segredo's  commitment  to  education  and
multicultural  awareness  has  been  widely  recognized,   earning   her
prestigious  honors, including the Nassau County MLK Award, NAACP Harlem
Chapter Award,  Hofstra  University  Celebration  of  Diversity  Honoree
(2013),  Legislator  Kevin Thomas Women's Award (2023), and the National
Association for Multicultural Education (NAME)  Equity,  Social  Justice
Advocacy  Award  at the 25th Anniversary New Orleans Conference in 2015;
and

  WHEREAS, A dedicated educator, Soh Young Lee-Segredo was honored  as
the New York State Association of Bilingual Education (NYSABE) Bilingual
Teacher  of the Year in 2023, making history as the first Asian educator
to receive this award in 45 years; and

  WHEREAS,  Soh  Young  Lee-Segredo's   advocacy   has   extended   to
international platforms, including presenting "Cross the Border" stories
at  the  66th UN DPI/NGO Conference in Korea, representing multicultural
educators at the National  Endowment  for  Humanities  in  Alabama,  and
participating  in  global  education  initiatives in Israel, Turkey, and
Korea; and

  WHEREAS, A lifelong advocate for library literacy and education, Soh
Young Lee-Segredo has dedicated over 35 years of service to  the  Queens
and  Long  Island  libraries,  promoting  cultural  literacy, historical
awareness, and the preservation of diverse narratives; and

  WHEREAS, Her remarkable achievements have been recognized  by  civic
and  governmental  leaders,  including being awarded the NYC Citizenship
Award by former Councilman John Liu and the Certificate of  Appreciation
from  the Queens Public Library for her exceptional contributions to the
New Americans Program; and

  WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has  devoted  her  life  to  cultural
diplomacy,  education,  and  advocacy,  using  music,  storytelling, and
activism to foster understanding, unity,  and  inclusion  among  diverse
communities; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion  of  her  designation  for
special  recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards
Gala, commending her for her extraordinary contributions  to  the  arts,
education, and multicultural advocacy; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Soh Young Lee-Segredo.