Assembly Resolution No. 108

BY: M. of A. Jones

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        February 14, 2023, as Canadian American Heritage Day
        in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  February  14,  2023,  as Canadian
American Heritage Day in the State of New York, in celebration  of  this
great  Empire  State's  long-standing economic and cultural relationship
with Canada; and

  WHEREAS, New York and Canada share many  additional  deep  economic,
historical, cultural, and familial ties; and

  WHEREAS, New York and Canada share an international border measuring
445  miles  in  length with 17 international border crossings, including
three of the United States' top 10 busiest border crossings; the  border
features  many  important  international  trade corridors, including the
Quebec-New York Corridor, the Capitol Corridor, and Continental One,  as
well as the second-busiest crossing between Canada and the United States
at the Peace Bridge; and

  WHEREAS,  Canada  is  New  York's  primary export market, with $24.9
billion in exports and over $42 billion in bilateral trade in 2021; and

  WHEREAS, This relationship has led to 829  Canadian-owned  companies
operating in the State of New York employing 58,750 New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS,  The  economies  of  Canada and New York are tightly linked
through integrated  cross-border  supply  chains  that  keep  our  firms
competitive; and

  WHEREAS,   Canada   and  the  United  States'  mutual  security  and
prosperity rely upon these predictable and secure trading relationships;
and

  WHEREAS,  The  United  States  and  Canada  share  a   long-standing
commitment  to  working together for our common defense and security and
the continuation of  this  successful  relationship  through  the  North
American  Aerospace  Defense  Command (NORAD) is paramount to the future
security of the people of the United States and  Canada;  this  includes
the NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector, in Rome, NY; and

  WHEREAS,  The  United  States and Canada have a shared commitment to
protecting the health and well-being of Americans and Canadians and have
agreed  through  a  joint  roadmap  to  strengthen   comprehensive   and
cross-sectoral  efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborate on
public health responses, and build resilience against future  outbreaks;
and

  WHEREAS,  Canada  and  New  York  also share a commitment to equity,
inclusion, and diversity, highlighting it as a source of strength and as
a force that can vanquish intolerance, hate,  and  radicalism,  both  at

home  and  across  the globe; this shared virtue can only strengthen the
already robust ties that exist between Canadians and New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS,  New  York  and Canada are committed partners in addressing
the  challenge  of  climate  change  and  creating  a   stronger,   more
sustainable economy through energy trade, shared innovation development,
and aligned policies and goals; and

  WHEREAS,  Canada  and  New York recently celebrated this partnership
with the groundbreaking of the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a project
that will bring clean,  renewable,  hydroelectricity  to  power  over  1
million  homes  in New York City, reduce climate emissions equivalent to
removing half a million cars from New York's roads annualy, create 1,400
jobs during construction and $3.5 billion in economic  benefits  to  New
Yorkers ; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to  proclaim  February  14,  2023,  as
Canadian  American  Heritage  Day  in  the  State of New York; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Acting Consul General Andre Frenette of the Consulate  General
of Canada in New York.