Bill Text: NY K00138 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing Monday, March 1, 2021, as COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day in the Town of Riverhead

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-19 - adopted [K00138 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00138-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 138

BY: M. of A. Giglio JA

        RECOGNIZING  Monday,  March  1,  2021, as COVID-19
        Victims and Survivors Memorial Day in  the  Town  of
        Riverhead, a day to pause and remember the residents
        of  Riverhead  lost  to the disease and to celebrate
        the lives of those who survived

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
certain  official  days  of  significance  which bring the people of the
State of New York together to honor the memory and remember the lives of
their loved ones; COVID-19 Victims and Survivors  Memorial  Day  in  the
Town of Riverhead is one such day; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
recognize  Monday,  March  1,  2021,  as  COVID-19 Victims and Survivors
Memorial Day in the Town of Riverhead; and

  WHEREAS, Since March of 2020, there have been  162,243  total  cases
reported and 3,076 fatalities in Suffolk County; and

  WHEREAS,  Monday,  March  1,  2021,  marked the one-year Anniversary
since health officials confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the State of
New York; just eight days later, Suffolk County would report  its  first
case of the virus; and

  WHEREAS, On this day, local leaders gathered to commemorate COVID-19
Victims  and  Survivors  Memorial  Day in the Town of Riverhead; various
religious leaders joined elected officials and offered prayers for those
who have passed away from COVID-19,  those  who  have  survived,  and  a
prayer for the future and the end of the pandemic; and

  WHEREAS,  The  ceremony  also  featured  a performance of "God Bless
America" by Catherine Renshaw, who won the Riverhead Idol competition in
2020; and

  WHEREAS, To pay tribute to the victims, town officials  dedicated  a
newly  planted  copper  beech  tree, donated by Case's Creek Nursery and
John Spila of Whitman Nurseries Inc., and a granite marker,  donated  by
Rothwell Monuments; the tree and the stone marker are located outside of
Town  Hall;  the  stone reads: "We shall forever cherish the memories of
those we lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. We  pray  for  strength  and
healing to the survivors and peace to all whom have suffered."; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition,  county  officials  assembled  to unveil the
Memorial, which is composed of ribbons affixed  to  a  wooden  structure
that bears the name of a COVID-19 victim; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Memorial  will  provide  a quiet, reflective spot for
residents to grieve and remember; it also  represents  hope,  resilience
and  recovery as family members and friends recognize and pay tribute to
all those who survived this life-threatening  and  devastating  pandemic
and continue to experience the lingering effects of the disease; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Memorial  will  be  on  display at the Suffolk County
Legislature's William H. Rogers Building in Smithtown  throughout  March
and  a temporary structure will also be placed in the lobby of the Evans
K. Griffing Building in Riverside; and

  WHEREAS,  Our  society  is deeply saddened at the loss of neighbors,
family members, and friends but grateful for  the  opportunity  to  come
together as a community and reflect upon the lives lost to this horrific
pandemic;  this  Legislative  Body encourages all New Yorkers across the
State to pause and honor the memory of the lives of  those  victims  and
survivors; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize Monday, March 1,  2021,  as  COVID-19  Victims  and  Survivors
Memorial  Day  in the Town of Riverhead, a day to pause and remember the
residents of Riverhead lost to the disease and to celebrate the lives of
those who survived; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day in the Town
of Riverhead Committee.