Assembly Resolution No. 450

BY: M. of A. Brabenec

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        September  2021,  as Onion Appreciation Month in the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, The agricultural industry of  the  State  of  New  York  is
highly  benefited  by  the  active  promotion  of  farming endeavors and
agricultural products; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  memorialize
Governor   Andrew   M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  September  2021,  as  Onion
Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, The nutritional value of onions  have  been  held  in  high
esteem  throughout  recorded  history,  having been used in nearly every
cuisine around the globe; and

  WHEREAS, Perceived to be one of the oldest known vegetables,  onions
are  among  the  first  cultivated crops, are easy to grow, do well in a
wide range of soils and climates, are less perishable  than  many  other
vegetables,  and  have  grown wild in many regions throughout the world;
and

  WHEREAS, Food historians estimate man has  been  cultivating  onions
for  approximately  5,000  years;  it  is  also  estimated our ancestors
feasted on wild onions for thousands of years before the  inventions  of
farming and writing; and

  WHEREAS,  Onions  have  numerous  medicinal  purposes, some of which
include  the  treatment  of   coughs,   colds,   wounds,   ulcers,   and
hypertension; and

  WHEREAS,  Modern  research  supports  a  surprising array of ancient
allium-related health claims; according to  researchers  in  the  United
States and India, onions also kill the germs that cause tooth decay; and

  WHEREAS,  An  absolute  asset to society, onions contain at least 25
identified active disease combating compounds that, like garlic, possess
antibacterial, antifungal, and immune  enhancing  properties  which  may
explain  their  efficacy in warding off colds as well as relieving upset
stomachs; they also appear to  lower  blood  pressure  and  cholesterol,
inhibit  growth  of  cancer  cells,  reduce  stroke  risk, and assist in
preventing heart disease; and

  WHEREAS, All of our Nation's farmers, particularly the onion farmers
of the  State  of  New  York,  deserve  the  recognition,  support,  and
appreciation  of  all  the  citizens  of  this  great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to proclaim September 2021, as
Onion Appreciation 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.