Bill Text: NY J01518 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2022, as the Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-01-11 - ADOPTED [J01518 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-J01518-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1518 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2022, as the Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of 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 December 2, 2022, as the Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery; and WHEREAS, The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others on December 2, 1949; and WHEREAS, The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labor, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; and WHEREAS, Not merely a historical relic, slavery exists all over the world; according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery; although modern slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term; essentially, it refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power; and WHEREAS, In addition, more than 150 million children are subject to child labor, accounting for almost one in 10 children around the world; and WHEREAS, ILO has adopted a new legally binding Protocol designed to strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labor, which entered into force in November of 2016; journalists have a voice that many workers do not; they can shine a light on abusive practices and the denial of fundamental human and labor rights; and WHEREAS, An estimated 40.3 million people are in modern slavery, including 24.9 in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage; there are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the world; one in four victims of modern slavery are children; and WHEREAS, Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor, accounting for 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58 percent in other sectors; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate slavery and human trafficking; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2022, as the Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery; 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.