Bill Text: NY J00514 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 21, 2019, as Mother Language Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-23)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-27 - ADOPTED [J00514 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00514-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 514

BY: Senator COMRIE

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        February  21,  2019,  as  Mother Language Day in the
        State of New York, in conjunction with International
        Mother Language Day

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize  that
the  quality  and  character  of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and  dedicated  efforts  of  those
organizations  and  individuals  that  are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and

  WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness  of  issues  that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  International  Mother  Language  Day is an observance held
annually on February 21 worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and
cultural diversity and multilingualism; and

  WHEREAS, The date represents the day in  1952,  when  students  from
different  institutions  such  as Dhaka University, Jagannath University
and  Dhaka  Medical  College  demonstrating  for  recognition  of  their
language,  Bangla,  were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital
of present-day Bangladesh; and

  WHEREAS, First announced on November 17, 1999, by the United Nations
Educational,   Scientific   and    Cultural    Organization    (UNESCO),
International   Mother  Language  Day  is  based  on  the  premise  that
linguistic  and  cultural  diversity  represent  universal  values  that
strengthen  the  union  and  cohesion of societies; it has been observed
every year since its inaugural celebration in February of 2000; and

  WHEREAS,  UNESCO  sets  the  theme  for  each  International  Mother
Language  Day,  and holds related events at its headquarters in Paris on
or around February 21 each year; and

  WHEREAS, Presented annually on International  Mother  Language  Day,
the  Linguapax  Prize recognizes and awards outstanding contributions in
the   preservation   of   linguistic   diversity,   revitalization   and
reactivation   of   linguistic   communities,   and   the  promotion  of
multilingualism; and

  WHEREAS, On May 16, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly in its
resolution, called upon Member States to promote  the  preservation  and
protection of all languages used by people of the world; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  by the same resolution, the General Assembly
proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity
in diversity and international  understanding,  through  multilingualism
and multiculturalism; and

  WHEREAS, Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and
more  languages  disappear;  globally, 40 percent of the population does

not have access to an education in a language they speak or  understand;
and

  WHEREAS, At least 43% of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the
world  are  endangered; only a few hundred languages have genuinely been
given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less  than
a hundred are used in the digital world; and

  WHEREAS, Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based
multilingual  education  with  growing  understanding of its importance,
particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its  development
in public life; and

  WHEREAS,  Languages  are the most powerful instruments of preserving
and developing our  tangible  and  intangible  heritage;  all  moves  to
promote  the  dissemination  of  mother tongues will serve not only to a
encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education, but  also  to
develop  fuller  awareness  of linguistic cultural traditions throughout
the world to inspire solidarity based on  understanding,  tolerance  and
dialogue; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 21,  2019,  as
Mother  Language  Day  in  the  State  of  New York, in conjunction with
International Mother Language Day; 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.