Bill Text: NY J01294 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Condemning the ruthless acts of terrorism in Sri Lanka, and mourning the tragic loss of life and injury to its Christian community on Easter Sunday

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-07 - ADOPTED [J01294 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01294-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1294

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        CONDEMNING  the  ruthless acts of terrorism in Sri
        Lanka, and mourning the  tragic  loss  of  life  and
        injury to its Christian community on Easter Sunday

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to condemn the ruthless acts
of  terrorism  in  Sri  Lanka,  and to mourn the tragic loss of life and
injury to its Christian community; and

  WHEREAS, On Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, bombs  tore  apart  three
churches,  one in Sri Lanka's Capital City of Colombo, and two others in
the cities of Negombo and Batticaloa; and

  WHEREAS, Four hotels in Colombo were also attacked: the  Shangri-La,
the  Cinnamon  Grand,  the  Tropical  Inn  and  the Kingsbury; there was
another explosion at a housing complex in Dematagoda; and

  WHEREAS, At least nine bombs were  detonated  through  churches  and
hotels  killing  over  300  people,  and  leaving  more  than 500 others
wounded; and

  WHEREAS, Sri Lanka is a religiously  diverse  country  of  about  20
million  people,  containing  Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians,
all of whom assume an expectation of freely  practicing  their  religion
and observing their holiest of days in peace; and

  WHEREAS, Over the past decade, the people of Sri Lanka have lived in
relative  peace  and free of conflict following a 26-year long civil war
between its Sinhala Buddhist majority and minority  Tamil  Tiger  ethnic
group; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of  New  York,  will  never condone any form of religious persecution or
bigotry; and

  WHEREAS, This great Empire State is made up of thousands of citizens
who identify themselves as  Christian,  a  community  made  up  of  many
diverse  beliefs  and  cultures, and both immigrants and native-born New
Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS, New York has always  provided  a  safe  harbor  for  people
fleeing  persecution  and  threat;  hateful  and intolerant acts against
members of any religious community, are contrary  to  New  York  State's
values  of  acceptance,  welcoming,  and  fellowship  with  those of all
faiths, beliefs, and cultures; and

  WHEREAS, The people of the State of  New  York  stand  steadfast  in
their  solidarity  with  Sri  Lanka's  Christian  community,  its entire
citizenry, and resolute Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, all of whom
mourn this senseless act of  terrorism,  and  vow  to  always  keep  the
memories of their loved ones in their hearts; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
condemn the ruthless acts of terrorism in Sri Lanka, and  to  mourn  the

tragic  loss  of  life  and injury to its Christian community; and be it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Prime Minister Ranil  Wickremesinghe  and  the  Christian
community of Sri Lanka.