Bill Text: NY K00183 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021, as Poetry Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-21 - adopted [K00183 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00183-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 183

BY: M. of A. Seawright

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        April 2021, as Poetry Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to realize the beauty of  poetry  and
how it is enjoyed by many citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021, as Poetry
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with  the  observance  of
National Poetry Month; and

  WHEREAS,  National Poetry Month seeks to emphasize the extraordinary
legacy of American poetry, promote the publishing of the works of modern
poets, and make poetry an important part of  our  children's  education;
and

  WHEREAS,  We  commemorate  this  month in special recognition of the
late Florence Howe, native  New  Yorker,  graduate  of  Hunter  College,
champion of the women's liberation movement, and founder of the Feminist
Press  which made available "a legacy of writings by and about women" by
publishing and republishing works of authors that  include:  Zora  Neale
Hurston, Willa Cather, and Alice Walker; and

  WHEREAS,  As  we  celebrate  the  life and work of Florence Howe, we
dedicate ourselves to proclaim this month as Poetry Month in  an  effort
to  promote the works of New York State poets as she did in her numerous
literary anthologies; and

  WHEREAS, New York State has been home to some of the most  important
writers   in  the  history  of  poetry,  including:  Walt  Whitman,  the
revolutionary poet who introduced the world to modern day  poetry;  Emma
Lazarus,  the  author of "The New Colossus" affixed upon the base of the
Statue of Liberty; Langston Hughes, one of the most  famous  writers  of
the  Harlem  Renaissance;  Allan Ginsberg, the poet who defined the Beat
generation; Audre Lord, the internationally renowned poet  and  activist
who spoke of her experience as a black lesbian woman; Eileen Myles, "the
rock star of modern poetry"; and so many more; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2005,  the  Empire State Building was illuminated with
blue lights in celebration of the 10th Anniversary  of  National  Poetry
Month; and

  WHEREAS, New York is internationally recognized as the birthplace of
the  New York School of Poets in the 1960s, an artistic movement like no
other that revolutionized American poetry with  influences  of  literary
surrealism and abstract expressionist painting; and

  WHEREAS,  Poetry and activism have so often converged in the history
of our State during the  abolition,  suffrage,  sexual  liberation,  and
civil  rights  movements,  and we must honor all the poets who dedicated
their lives to improving the conditions of our great Empire State; and


  WHEREAS, Poetry Month seeks to introduce Americans to the continuous
achievements of American poets and women writers in particular; and

  WHEREAS,  The  New  York Public Library hosts readings, discussions,
and events every April to commemorate National Poetry Month with a focus
on Persian Poetry by Women for the April 2021 event; and

  WHEREAS, Poetry Month is consistent  with  New  York  City's  annual
participation in Poem in Your Pocket Day; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and increase awareness of influential women poets and  their  increasing
contribution  to  the ongoing fight for gender equality and recognition;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021, as Poetry
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with  the  observance  of
National  Poetry Month, to urge all residents to observe this month, and
to celebrate the riches our community has to offer; 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.