Bill Text: NY K00370 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 18-24, 2019, as Safe Boating Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-08 - adopted [K00370 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00370-Introduced.html

Assembly Resolution No. 370

BY: M. of A. Galef

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        May  18-24,  2019, as Safe Boating Week in the State
        of New York, in conjunction with the  observance  of
        National Safe Boating Week

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize official weeks  that  are  set
aside  to increase awareness of issues that affect the lives of citizens
of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim  May  18-24,  2019,  as
Safe  Boating  Week  in  the  State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Safe Boating Week; and

  WHEREAS, National Safe Boating Week is the U.S. Coast Guard and  the
National  Safe  Boating  Campaign's  Annual Week of Recognition to bring
attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boaters so they
can have a safer, more enjoyable experience out on the water  throughout
the year; and

  WHEREAS, For nearly 100 million Americans, boating continues to be a
popular  recreational  activity;  from coast to coast, and everywhere in
between, people are taking to  the  water  and  enjoying  time  together
boating, sailing, paddling and fishing; and

  WHEREAS,  Safe  boating  begins with preparation and the Coast Guard
estimates that human error  accounts  for  70  percent  of  all  boating
accidents,  and  that life jackets could prevent more than 85 percent of
boating fatalities; and

  WHEREAS, Through simple boating safety procedures such  as  carrying
lifesaving emergency distress and communications equipment, wearing life
jackets,  attending  safe  boating  courses,  participating in free boat
safety checks, and staying sober when navigating, New Yorkers  can  help
ensure boaters on New York's waters stay safe throughout the season; and

  WHEREAS,  Many boaters have never taken a boating safety course and,
while they may think they are abiding by the navigation laws,  they  put
themselves, as well as others, in danger; and

  WHEREAS,  On  average,  650  people die each year in boating-related
accidents in the United States and Bryan Johnson was one among those who
tragically lost his life while in a 2012 boating accident; and

  WHEREAS, Following the loss of Bryan Johnson,  the  New  York  State
Legislature enacted a law that mandates that anyone born after 1996 must
take an eight hour boating safety course; and

  WHEREAS,   76   percent   of   the  people  who  die  each  year  in
boating-related accidents in the United States are fatalities caused  by
drowning; the vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error

or  poor  judgment  and  not  by  the  boat,  equipment or environmental
factors; and

  WHEREAS,  A  significant  number  of boaters who lose their lives by
drowning each year would  be  alive  today  had  they  worn  their  life
jackets; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body reaffirms its commitment to fostering
continuing attention to boating safety in New York State, and encourages
all  New Yorkers to participate in Safe Boating Week; now, therefore, be
it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo to proclaim May 18-24, 2019, as
Safe Boating Week in the State of New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
observance of National Safe Boating Week; 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.
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