Bill Text: NY J02896 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-27 - ADOPTED [J02896 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J02896-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 2896 BY: Senator THOMAS COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union 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 patriotic organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union, to be celebrated at their Centennial Gala on March 31, 2020, in New York City; and WHEREAS, The American Civil Liberties Union, commonly referred to as the ACLU, was founded in 1920 with the stated mission to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the laws and constitution of the United States; and WHEREAS, Upon its founding, the organization made reaching people who were historically denied constitutional protections a priority; the ACLU has promoted the rights of immigrants, LGBTQ citizens, union organizers, women, and people of color; and WHEREAS, The ACLU has been instrumental in many historical and impactful events, such as winning workers the right to organize in 1939, protecting Japanese-Americans during the internment camp period in World War II, and facilitating the expansion of civil rights by assisting the NAACP in eliminating race-based discrimination; the ACLU has also assisted in promoting Native American rights and the rights of religious people; and WHEREAS, The ACLU is known for defending the rights of controversial groups, showing Americans and New Yorkers they will defend the rights of all people, regardless of how they use those rights; this vital organization truly embodies the American commitment to freedom of speech, embodied in the quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"; and WHEREAS, Today, the ACLU is continuing its century-long work with a plethora of active cases relating to the rights of immigrants, the LGBTQ population, individuals with disabilities and the rights of prisoners; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of President Susan N. Herman, the ACLU steadfastly protects Americans' civil liberties and rights, and has chapters in every state with a total membership of 1.84 million people; and WHEREAS, The New York Civil Liberties Union, commonly known as NYCLU, founded in 1951 with more than 160,000 members, has also been impactful in the areas of civil rights and liberties; NYCLU, under the luminous direction of President Robin Willner, works to protect New Yorkers' privacy, their due process rights, and their rights to be treated equally under the law; and WHEREAS, NYCLU is led by President Robin Willner, who has had a long and prosperous career of service to others in the non-profit setting, in government, and in the charitable departments of corporations; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which serve to bring people together for the united purpose of actively pursuing improvements in their communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Susan N. Herman, President of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Robin Willner, President of the New York Civil Liberties Union.