Bill Text: NY K00548 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 26, 2023, as Guyana Flag Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-24 - adopted [K00548 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00548-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 548

BY: M. of A. Cunningham

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 26, 2023, as Guyana Flag Day in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
pay  just  tribute  to  the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of  the  community
of the State of New York; 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 May 26, 2023, as Guyana
Flag Day, in conjunction with the 57th Anniversary of  the  Independence
of Guyana; and

  WHEREAS,  The  flag of Guyana represents the country's rich history;
the golden arrowhead represents the  journey  to  independence  and  the
colors of the flag represent different industries in the country; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to  the  2020 Census/American Community Survey,
122,820 Guyanese people live in New York State; in fact, the majority of
Guyanese  Americans  live   in   New   York   City,   constituting   the
second-largest  Guyanese  population  in  the  world  after the Guyanese
capital of Georgetown, with large communities in South  Queens,  Central
and Southeast Brooklyn, and the Southeast Bronx; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Co-operative  Republic  of  Guyana  is  a vibrant and
prosperous nation in the Caribbean region that enjoys friendly relations
with our great  State  and  Nation,  serving  as  a  partner  in  trade,
diplomacy, culture, and security; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  result of successive waves of settlement, Guyana is
home to  an  incredibly  diverse  population,  primarily  consisting  of
Indo-Guyanese  descended  from  South Asia, Afro-Guyanese descended from
Africa, Amerindians,  people  of  mixed  ancestry,  and  descendants  of
European and Chinese workers; and

  WHEREAS,  Guyana  gained independence from the United Kingdom on May
26, 1966; on this date at midnight, the British flag  in  National  Park
was  lowered and the Guyanese flag was raised, followed by a ceremony in
Parliament  where  the  Duke  of  Kent  presented   the   Constitutional
Instruments to Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham; and

  WHEREAS, Guyana is the only country in South America with English as
the  official  language;  however, many residents speak Guyanese Creole;
and

  WHEREAS, From the  very  beginning,  the  Guyanese  have  celebrated
Independence Day with elaborate celebrations such as carnivals, parades,
fireworks, exhibitions, and rallies; and the Guyanese American community
in  New  York  City  celebrates with an Independence Parade, among other
festivities; and

  WHEREAS, One of the greatest  testaments  to  the  contributions  of
Guyanese New Yorkers is the neighborhood of Little Guyana, running along
Liberty   Avenue   in   South  Queens,  which  is  home  to  a  bustling
Indo-Guyanese community and numerous restaurants and  small  businesses;
and in 2021, New York City honored the neighborhood by co-naming Liberty
Avenue as "Little Guyana Avenue"; and

  WHEREAS,  Guyana  Flag  Day,  along  with  the  57th  Anniversary of
Guyana's  Independence,  provides  an  opportunity  to   recognize   the
significance  of  their  contributions  to  the quality and character of
life, and, through events and activities,  for  all  people  to  gain  a
greater appreciation of Guyanese history and traditions, and of the role
the Guyanese have played, and will continue to play, in our society; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic  pride  and
exemplify  the  cultural  diversity  that represents and strengthens the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim May 26, 2023, as Guyana
Flag Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted   to  the  Guyanese  Consul  General  and  various  Guyanese
organizations in the State of New York.