Bill Text: NY J01734 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 41-21)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-30 - ADOPTED [J01734 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01734-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1734

BY: Senator CHU

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May  2024,  as  Asian  American   Pacific   Islander
        Heritage Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Americans have contributed
greatly  to  the  wealth and cultural heritage of our great State of New
York; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to proclaim May 2024, as Asian American Pacific
Islander Heritage Month in the State of New York,  in  conjunction  with
the  observance  of  National  Asian  American Pacific Islander Heritage
Month; and

  WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander Americans comprise many  ethnicities
and  languages,  and  their  myriad  achievements  embody  the  American
experience; and

  WHEREAS,  Asia  and  Pacific  Islander   Americans   have   fostered
enterprise  to  include many of our Nation's most successful and dynamic
businesses; these men and women are leaders in every aspect of  American
life  such  as  government,  industry,  science, medicine, the arts, our
Armed Forces, education, and sports; and

  WHEREAS, New York received some of the first Asian arrivals  in  the
early  1800s;  sailors  and  traders  of the China trade route became an
essential part of the port culture that formed in  New  York  City,  the
city of immigrants and the American Dream; and

  WHEREAS,  New York is home to Asian and Asian Pacific Islanders from
all parts of the Asian continent and Pacific Islands,  including  Japan,
China,   Taiwan,   Korea,  Thailand,  Vietnam,  Laos,  Burma  (Myanmar),
Cambodia,  the  Philippines,  Samoa,  Fiji,   Guam,   India,   Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan; and

  WHEREAS,  The  United  States  Congress passed a joint Congressional
Resolution in 1978, to commemorate  Asian  and  Asian  Pacific  American
Heritage Week during the first week of May; this date was chosen because
two  important  anniversaries  occurred during this time: the arrival of
the first Japanese immigrants  in  America  on  May  7,  1843,  and  the
completion  of  the transcontinental railroad by Chinese laborers on May
10, 1869; and

  WHEREAS, In 1990, Congress voted to expand  it  from  a  week  to  a
month-long  celebration;  in  May 1992, the month of May was permanently
designated as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month"; and

  WHEREAS, There are many notable and influential Asian Americans  who
inspire  our  next  generation  every day, some of whom include: Kalpana
Chawla, first woman of Indian decent to go to  space;  Tammy  Duckworth,
first  Thai  American woman and first woman with a disability elected to
Congress; Patsy Mink, esteemed Hawaiian Congresswoman and first woman of
color to be elected to the House of Representatives; Sammy  Lee,  Korean

American  diver and the first man to win back-to-back gold medals at the
Olympics; Wang Ping, Chinese film director and actress,  and  the  first
female  director  of  the People's Republic of China; and Kamala Harris,
first woman, African American, and South Asian American to serve as Vice
President of the United States; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to a 2022 report, Asian Americans of the Empire
State:   Growing Diversity and Common Needs,  from  the  Asian  American
Federation,  the Asian population in New York State grew fastest outside
of New York City; the number of Asian residents in the suburban counties
surrounding New York City grew by 47% and those in counties  outside  of
the New York City metro area grew by 56%; and

  WHEREAS,   With   the   population  growth  upstate  came  increased
diversity; Burmese Americans went from being too few to be  reported  to
the sixth largest Asian group in upstate counties in 2010; and

  WHEREAS,  By  recognizing  the  accomplishments and contributions of
Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, this great Empire State reaffirms  us
commitment  to diversity and equal opportunity for all, thereby ensuring
a bright future for all New Yorkers and Americans; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  May  2024,  as Asian
American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 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.