Bill Text: NY K00997 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2024, as Forest Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 21-11)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-21 - adopted [K00997 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00997-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 997

BY: M. of A. Lemondes

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        March 21, 2024, as Forest Day in the  State  of  New
        York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to  promote  and  appreciate  New  York
State's natural resources which benefit the lives of its citizens; 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 March 21, 2024, as Forest
Day in the State of New York, in  conjunction  with  the  observance  of
International Day of Forests; and

  WHEREAS, The 2024 theme, "Forests and Innovation," aims to highlight
how  we  can  promote  innovation  to  help the world's forests, and how
innovations in science and technology are supporting sustainable  forest
management; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2012,  the  United Nations General Assembly proclaimed
March 21st as the International Day of Forests (IDF)  to  celebrate  and
raise  awareness of the importance of all types of forests; each year on
this day, countries are encouraged  to  undertake  local,  national  and
international  efforts  to  organize  activities  involving  forests and
trees, such as tree planting campaigns; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  1906,  Empire  State  Forest  Products  Association
(ESFPA)  has  been the forest products industry's source for information
and public affairs in New York State; this vital non-profit organization
for businesses and individuals is dedicated to  improving  the  business
climate  for  the forest products industry while promoting management of
New York's Forests to meet the resource needs of today  and  for  future
generations; and

  WHEREAS,  Forests  purify  the  air  we breathe, filter the water we
drink, prevent erosion, and act as an important buffer  against  climate
change;  they  also offer a home to much of the world's diverse array of
plants and animals and provide essential natural resources  from  timber
and food to medicinal plants; and

  WHEREAS,  Known  as  the lungs of the Earth, forests are like giant,
green sponges all over the globe,  through  which  our  Earth  breathes;
trees and plants take in carbon dioxide and give us oxygen, cleaning our
air; and

  WHEREAS,   Forests  also  give  us  wood  for  construction,  paper,
furniture, energy  and  so  much  more;  currently,  wood  accounts  for
approximately 45% of the world's renewable energy supply; and

  WHEREAS,   Healthy  forests  mean  a  healthy  environment;  forests
stabilize  the  climate,  control  atmospheric   temperatures,   protect
watershed areas, regulate the water cycle, and enrich the soil; and

  WHEREAS,  Forests  also  play  an  important role in preventing soil
erosion, as well as stabilizing and maintaining its quality, and provide
a home to millions of species, sheltering and providing food  for  their
sustenance; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition, forests are natural aqueducts, absorbing and
redistributing an estimated 95% of water; and

  WHEREAS, Forests, their sustainable management and use of resources,
including in fragile ecosystems, are key to  combating  climate  change,
and  to  contributing  to  the  prosperity and well-being of current and
future generations; forests  are  truly  one  of  our  greatest  natural
treasures that must be preserved and protected; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional natural resource and its contributions  to
the local and State economies; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2024, as  Forest
Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York; and the Empire State Forest Products Association.