Bill Text: NY K00555 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2019, as Indian-American Heritage Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 45-20)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-13 - adopted [K00555 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00555-Introduced.html

---

Assembly Resolution No. 555

BY: M. of A. Zebrowski

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        August  2019,  as  Indian-American Heritage Month in
        the State of New York

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

  WHEREAS,  The  citizens  of  this  great  Empire  State are proud to
recognize and commemorate Indian-American Heritage Month, an  observance
which  celebrates  the  contributions  of  Indian-Americans  to New York
State's unique heritage; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to proclaim August 2019, as Indian-American
Heritage Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, The Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted  on  June  30,
1968,  abolished  the  national  origins quota system which was American
immigration policy since the  1920s,  replacing  it  with  a  preference
system which focused on immigrants' skills and family relationships with
citizens or United States residents; and

  WHEREAS,  This  1965 Act marked a radical break from the immigration
policies of the past and significantly increased Indian  immigration  to
the  United States from fewer than 15,000 prior to the Act, to more than
200,000 by 1980; and

  WHEREAS, Today, immigration from India is currently at  its  highest
level  in history; there are approximately four million Indian-Americans
residing in the United States with a growth rate of nearly  70  percent;
and

  WHEREAS,  Indian-Americans  greatly  contribute  to  the leadership,
wisdom and vitality of our great State and Nation, and have attained one
of the highest educational levels of all ethnic  groups  in  the  United
States;  an  astounding  72 percent have a bachelor's degree compared to
the 28 percent national average; and

  WHEREAS, Our Nation is blessed with many citizens of Indian  descent
who are distinguished by their excellence and their contributions to all
fields  of endeavor; some of these esteemed residents include: 2014 Miss
America and 2013 Miss New York, Nina Davuluri;  Comedian,  Aziz  Ansari;
Musician,  Norah  Jones;  former  Governor  of  Louisiana, Bobby Jindal;
Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella; former United  States  Ambassador  to  the
United  Nations,  Nikki  Haley; the first Indian-American elected to the
United States Senate, Kamala Harris; the first  Indian-American  elected
to Congress, Dalip Singh Saund; the first Indian-American elected to the
New York State Senate, Kevin Thomas; and the first Indian-American woman
elected  to  be  a  county legislator in the State of New York, Rockland
County Legislator Aney Paul; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  there  are  nearly  35,000   Indian-American
doctors  practicing  in the United States including Doctor Sanjay Gupta,
renowned Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery  at  Emory
University  School  of  Medicine  and Associate Chief of Neurosurgery at
Grady Memorial Hospital; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those important months which remind us of the rich and diverse  heritage
of our great State and Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  duly  fitting  that  all New Yorkers join in these
important celebrations of one of our State's most  vibrant  communities;
this  much  anticipated  observance and its accompanying activities will
foster greater appreciation for Indian culture and serve to promote  the
spirit of cooperation that is characteristic of all citizens of New York
State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  August  2019,  as
Indian-American  Heritage  Month  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.