Bill Text: NY J02122 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 20, 2019, as Colombian Independence Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-20 - ADOPTED [J02122 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02122-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2122

BY: Senator RAMOS

        LEGISLATIVE      RESOLUTION  memorializing  Governor
        Andrew M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  July  20,  2019,  as
        Colombian Independence Day in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  Colombian Americans have contributed greatly to the wealth
and cultural heritage of our great State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  July  20,  2019, as Colombian
Independence Day in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, On July 20, 1810, Colombian patriots stirred the population
of Bogota into street  protests  against  Spanish  rule;  this  was  the
beginning  of  the  process  that,  after  almost  a  decade, led to the
definitive independence of Columbia; and

  WHEREAS, It was in Pore, Casanare, that generals Simon  Bolivar  and
Francisco  de  Paula  Santander,  and the Provincial Congress proclaimed
their intentions to form a new government separate of the  Spaniards  in
1818; and

  WHEREAS,  Eight  years after their initial "cry for independence" in
1810, the pro-independence army left Pore and ultimately defeated  their
colonial masters during the legendary Battle of Boyaca; and

  WHEREAS,  Two  hundred  years  after  Simon Bolivar and Francisco de
Paula Santander led the  fight  for  the  independence  from  Spain  and
established  the  Republica;  despite the challenges they have met along
their history, the Colombian people have  developed  a  strong  national
identity; and

  WHEREAS,  Simon  Bolivar  escaped  to Cartagena, the main seaport of
neighboring Colombia, which is in  rebel  hands,  and  here  he  pens  a
powerful  political pamphlet, the "Manifesto de Cartagena," addressed to
the citizens of New Granada; in it, he offers the inspiring vision of  a
united effort to expel the Spaniards; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1819, Simon Bolivar's small force, of only about 2,500
men, used cowhide boats to cross a succession of flooded tributaries  of
the  Orinoco;  this  ordeal  is  followed  by one even worse, a mountain
crossing during which a considerable number of the independence band die
of cold; and

  WHEREAS, However, the surprise holds, and the men descend  from  the
high  passes  upon  an  unsuspecting enemy; the Spanish army surrendered
after a skirmish at Boyaca, on August 7, 1819; three  days  later  Simon
Bolivar  enters  Bogota,  and the Republica de Colombia is proclaimed on
December 17th; once the independence  process  was  completed,  the  new
nation  covered  the  entire region of modern Colombia, Panama, Ecuador,
and Venezuela; and

  WHEREAS, The first Colombian immigrants who settled  in  the  United
States  likely  arrived in the 1800s; the first Colombian Immigrants and

Colombian Americans community formed after  World  War  I,  through  the
arrival  of  several hundred professionals who established themselves in
New York City; later on, more people were added to  the  community  when
Colombian  Immigrant students decided to stay in the United States after
earning their degrees; and

  WHEREAS, As of the 2000 Census,  228,400  Colombian  Immigrants  and
Colombian  Americans  were  living  in  the  New York metro area, with a
population of 138,768 in Jackson Heights, Queens; and

  WHEREAS, Colombian  Independence  Day  provides  an  opportunity  to
recognize  the  significance  of  their contributions to the quality and
character of life, and, through events and activities, for all people to
gain a greater appreciation of Colombian history and traditions, and  of
the  role Colombian Americans have played, and will continue to play, in
our society; and

  WHEREAS, By recognizing the  accomplishments  and  contributions  of
Colombian Americans, this great Empire State reaffirms our commitment to
diversity  and  equal  opportunity  for  all,  thereby ensuring a bright
future for all New Yorkers and Americans; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have  this  opportunity
to  recognize  such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that  represents  and  strengthens  the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  to  proclaim  July  20,  2019,  as
Colombian Independence 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.