Senate Resolution No. 639 BY: Senator THOMAS MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 15, 2023, as Indian Independence Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are important to the cultural heritage of the citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 15, 2023, as Indian Independence Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, On August 15, 1947, India was declared independent of the British Empire after nearly two hundred years of colonial control, which was marked by oppression, sacrifice and struggle; and WHEREAS, India's Independence Day is enormously important to people around the world, as it marks the end of a 90-year struggle to achieve stronger civil, political and economic rights along with self-determination; and WHEREAS, In 1857, citizens across India engaged in a revolt against the rule of the British East India Company, the result of which was an end to its rule, and marked the beginning of the movement to gain India's independence; and WHEREAS, Countless brave and courageous Indian people sacrificed their lives for the independence of their country and for the betterment of the lives of their families, friends, and peers; and WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is especially noteworthy for its use of nonviolent protest through the Noncooperation movement, led by Mohandas Gandhi, whose teachings remind us transformative goals can be accomplished through peace and common cause; and WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day lead to the founding of what is today the largest Democratic country in the world; and WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is also significant in that it showed the world that the various Indian peoples could unify under a common cause; and WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is a momentous occasion which is celebrated extravagantly throughout the world, including with events such as flag raising ceremonies in each of the state capitals in India, kite flying, national color displays, singings of the Indian national anthem, and exquisite parades that display Indian patriotism; and WHEREAS, It is important to honor and cherish the ancestral history of the citizens of the State of New York, and to educate the citizens of this state of the richness thereof; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 15, 2023, as Indian Independence Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.