Bill Text: NY J00381 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 11, 2023, to April 12, 2023, as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-21)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-07 - ADOPTED [J00381 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00381-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 381

BY: Senator SEPULVEDA

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        March   11,   2023,   to   April   12,   2023,    as
        Garifuna-American Heritage Month 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  keeping  with  its
time-honored  traditions,  it  is the intent of this Legislative Body to
applaud and commemorate events which foster ethnic pride  and  exemplify
the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the spirit of the
people and the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 11, 2023, to April 12, 2023,  as
Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Garifuna-American  Heritage  Month celebrates the history,
culture, achievements, and contributions of the Garifuna People  to  the
societies of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines  and  the  United  States of America; it raises awareness and
promotes greater appreciation of Garifuna history and traditions; and

  WHEREAS,  Garifuna-American  Heritage  Month  affirms  the  history,
culture,  identity, and self-esteem of a resilient people; it celebrates
a rich heritage and illuminates Garifuna history and tradition, as  well
as the spirit of an indomitable people; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1665,  two  Spanish ships wrecked off the coast of St.
Vincent; and

  WHEREAS,  The  West  African  slaves  that  escaped  to  the  island
eventually  intermarried  with  the  Caribs  and  the Arawaks indigenous
native people; and

  WHEREAS, The new race of people, known as the Garifuna, grew  strong
and prosperous on the island; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1795,  the Garifuna began the Second Carib War against
the British; battles raged throughout St. Vincent  over  the  next  year
with both sides enduring heavy losses; and

  WHEREAS,  On  June  10,  1796,  the  final battle commenced with the
Garifuna and British, resulting in the Garifuna's surrender; and

  WHEREAS, The surviving Black Caribs were forcibly  deported  to  the
neighboring island of Balliceaux; and

  WHEREAS, On March 11, 1797, the defeated Garifuna were loaded onto a
convoy  of eight vessels and transported to Roatan, Honduras, where they

arrived on April 12th of that year; this resulted in permanent  Garifuna
Family Separation; and

  WHEREAS,  This  year  we  commemorate  the  226th Anniversary of the
Forcible Deportation of the Garifuna People  by  the  British  from  St.
Vincent and the Grenadines and their settlement in Central America; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Garifuna began to migrate to the United States during
the 1930s; today,  New  York  City  is  home  to  the  largest  Garifuna
community outside of Central America; and

  WHEREAS, Garifuna-American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to
celebrate   the   Garifuna   family   reunification  and  recognize  the
significance of Garifuna's contributions to the quality and character of
life of New York State, through many events  and  activities  throughout
the  month,  for  all  people to gain a greater appreciation of Garifuna
history and traditions, and of the role Garifuna-Americans have  played,
and will continue to play, in New York's society; and

  WHEREAS,  Today,  New  Yorkers of Garifuna heritage such as, Marsena
Balantine, Jemma Lewis,  Sara  Nunez  Mejia,  Rosemary  Ordonez-Jenkins,
Sulma  Arzu-Brown,  Aquina Valentin, Mirtha Colon, Rosita Alvarez, Paula
Castillo, Evelyn Arauz Chamorro, Mirtha C.  Sabio,  Lizeth  Cacho,  Ivan
Moreira,  Eudy  Perez,  Johny Batiz, Ivan Moreira, Thurito Martinez, and
Jose Francisco Avila continue to recognize and honor the legacy of their
ancestors; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to declare March 11, 2023, to April
12, 2023, as Garifuna-American 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.