Bill Text: NY J02530 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the observance of the 525th Anniversary of the establishment of Taishan on February 12, 2024

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-21 - ADOPTED [J02530 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02530-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2530

BY: Senator CHU

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        February 12, 2024, Taishanese Heritage  Day  in  the
        State   of   New   York,  in  conjunction  with  the
        observance  of  the   525th   Anniversary   of   the
        establishment of Taishan

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to  recognize  and  pay  tribute  to  those
official days which are set aside to foster ethnic pride and enhance the
profile  of  cultural  diversity  which  strengthens  the  fabric of the
communities of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, During the Ming Dynasty, the area  of  present-day  Taishan
was carved out of Xinhui County on February 12, 1499; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Taishanese  people, also known as Hoi San Ngin, are a
Chinese group from the  area  comprised  of  the  Taicheng  Subdistrict,
Dajiang town, Shuibu town, Sijiu town, Baisha town, Sanhe town, Chonglou
town,  Doushan town, Duhu town, Chixi town, Duanfen town, Guanghai town,
Haiyan town, Wencun town, Shenjing town, Beidou town, and Chuandao  town
in the southwest of Guangdong province; and

  WHEREAS,  Taishanese  immigrants were among the first Chinese people
to settle in the United States, with the oldest  record  of  immigration
from Taishan dated 1821, approximately 203 years ago; and

  WHEREAS, Taishanese Americans have made significant contributions to
the United States, New York State, and New York City; and

  WHEREAS, The Taishanese language was the original bridge-language of
Chinatowns  across  the  United  States;  the  Taishanese  community has
preserved its cultural identity and language, enriching  the  fabric  of
New  York's  diverse  population;  Taishanese  Americans have shaped the
dynamic cultural landscape of New York City including  to  its  culinary
scene; and

  WHEREAS,  Between  1863  and  1869,  the  United  States  built  the
transcontinental Pacific Railway, significantly relying  on  the  manual
labor  of  a Chinese immigrants, most of whom were from Taishan; in June
1867, five days following a terrible and fatal explosion, 3,000  Chinese
railroad  workers  dropped  their  tools,  refused  to work, and went on
strike; their acts demonstrated hey would not be taken for  granted  and
challenged  the  stereotype of a passive and obedient Chinese immigrant;
and

  WHEREAS, Taishanese Americans have achieved success in the  face  of
adversity  and  became  among the first Asian Americans to be elected as
Governors, Mayors, and U.S Congressmembers in the United States; and

  WHEREAS, Taishanese Americans continue to play a vital role  in  the
economic  relationship  between  the  United  States  and  eastern Asia,
contributing to bilateral  trade  and  investment,  creating  jobs,  and
fostering mutually beneficial relationships; and


  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  intent  of  this Legislative Body to urge the
citizens of New York State to join those from Taishan as they rejoice in
the accomplishments of their ancestors  by  memorializing  February  12,
2024, as Taishanese Heritage Day; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  February  12,  2024,
Taishanese  Heritage  Day  in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of the 525th Anniversary of the establishment of Taishan;
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 Taishanese community in New York.