Bill Text: NY K00667 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 17, 2023, as Black Poetry Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-6)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-07 - adopted [K00667 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00667-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 667

BY: M. of A. Solages

        LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION  memorializing Governor Kathy
        C.  Hochul  to  proclaim  October 17, 2023, as Black
        Poetry Day in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in  keeping  with
its  time-honored  traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those who
seek to preserve and celebrate  the  African-American  heritage  of  our
State and Nation; 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  C. Hochul to proclaim October 17, 2023, as
Black Poetry Day in the State of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
observance of National Black Poetry Day; and

  WHEREAS,  October  17,  1711,  was the birth date of the Black poet,
Jupiter Hammon, a slave of the Lloyd Family of the Plantation of  Queens
Village,  New  York,  an  area of Long Island now known as Caumset State
Park; and

  WHEREAS,  On  December  25,   1760,   Jupiter   became   the   first
African-American to publish his own poem, "An Evening Thought: Salvation
by Christ, with Penitential Cries"; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  the  fall  of  1970, through the efforts of Stanley
Ransom, former Director, Huntington Public Library, an unofficial  Black
Poetry Day has been celebrated in parts of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  This  date  has  been gaining popularity as an occasion to
recognize the many Black poets in our state; and

  WHEREAS, The noted author, Julius Lester, has suggested  "Poetry  is
the  major expression of Black experience," and the poet, Nikki Giovanni
has said, "Poetry is part of the strong oral tradition of Black people";
and

  WHEREAS, Throughout the course of American history, Black poets  and
writers  have  used  their  great  talents  to share the richness of the
African-American experience and to develop a uniquely American style  of
literature  enjoyed  throughout the world; on October 17, 2023, we honor
Jupiter Hammon, a true pioneer of African-American  poetry,  along  with
today's artists who continue his legacy; and

  WHEREAS,  Events  which  provide a means of preserving a part of our
rich American past and which contribute to the community in  such  noble
endeavors, are held in the highest regard by this Legislative Body; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy C. Hochul to proclaim October  17,  2023,  as
Black Poetry Day 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.