Bill Text: NY K00572 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 21, 2022, as Mother Language Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-4)

Status: (Passed) 2022-02-17 - adopted [K00572 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00572-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 572

BY: M. of A. McMahon

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        February 21, 2022, as Mother  Language  Day  in  the
        State   of   New   York,  in  conjunction  with  the
        observance of International Mother Language Day

  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
organizations  and  individuals  that  are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and

  WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness  of  issues  that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  International  Mother  Language  Day is an observance held
annually on February 21st worldwide to promote awareness  of  linguistic
and cultural diversity and multilingualism; and

  WHEREAS,  The  date  represents  the day in 1952, when students from
different institutions such as Dhaka  University,  Jagannath  University
and  Dhaka  Medical  College  demonstrating  for  recognition  of  their
language, Bangla, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka,  the  capital
of present-day Bangladesh; and

  WHEREAS, First announced on November 17, 1999, by the United Nations
Educational,    Scientific    and    Cultural   Organization   (UNESCO),
International  Mother  Language  Day  is  based  on  the  premise   that
linguistic  and  cultural  diversity  represent  universal  values  that
strengthen the union and cohesion of societies;  it  has  been  observed
every year since its inaugural celebration in February of 2000; and

  WHEREAS,  UNESCO  sets  the  theme  for  each  International  Mother
Language Day, and holds related events at its headquarters in  Paris  on
or around February 21 each year; and

  WHEREAS,  Presented  annually  on International Mother Language Day,
the Linguapax Prize recognizes and awards outstanding  contributions  in
the   preservation   of   linguistic   diversity,   revitalization   and
reactivation  of  linguistic   communities,   and   the   promotion   of
multilingualism; and

  WHEREAS, On May 16, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly in its
resolution,  called  upon  Member States to promote the preservation and
protection of all languages used by people of the world; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, by the same resolution, the  General  Assembly
proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity
in  diversity  and  international understanding, through multilingualism
and multiculturalism; and

  WHEREAS, Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and
more languages disappear; globally, 40 percent of  the  population  does

not  have access to an education in a language they speak or understand;
and

  WHEREAS, At least 43% of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the
world  are  endangered; only a few hundred languages have genuinely been
given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less  than
a hundred are used in the digital world; and

  WHEREAS, Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based
multilingual  education  with  growing  understanding of its importance,
particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its  development
in public life; and

  WHEREAS,  Languages  are the most powerful instruments of preserving
and developing our  tangible  and  intangible  heritage;  all  moves  to
promote  the  dissemination  of  mother tongues will serve not only to a
encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education, but  also  to
develop  fuller  awareness  of linguistic cultural traditions throughout
the world to inspire solidarity based on  understanding,  tolerance  and
dialogue; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to  proclaim  February  21,  2022,  as
Mother  Language  Day  in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Mother Language Day; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.