Bill Text: NY K00607 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 198th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-18 - adopted [K00607 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-K00607-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 607 BY: M. of A. Cruz COMMEMORATING the 198th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its time-honored traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate the 198th Anniversary of the formal Independence of Peru to be celebrated on Peruvian Cultural Day in New York at the Corona Plaza in Corona, New York, on Saturday, July 27, 2019; and WHEREAS, The history of the Peruvian people dates back to as early as 10,000 BC and the oldest complex civilization, Norte Chico, flourished along the coast of the Pacific between 3000 and 1800 BC; and WHEREAS, Later cultures emerged including the Cipisnique, Chimu, Wari, Chavin, Paracas, Mochica, Nazca as well as the Incas who in the 15th Century formed the most powerful empire in Pre-Columbian America; and WHEREAS, Peru, a Spanish Viceroyalty since 1535, was notably exploited for its rich mineral deposits and guano used for fertilizers; and WHEREAS, By the early 19th Century, most South American territories were swept by wars of independence, while the powerful colonial government of the Viceroyalty of Peru remained loyal to Spain, only to be challenged by the military campaigns for independence led by Jose de San Martin and later, Simon Bolivar; and WHEREAS, The revolutionary army led by San Martin was much smaller than that of royalist forces, so a direct attack on the Spanish was not a prudent move; and WHEREAS, The revolution strategy consisted of the Peruvian people conducting the uprisings themselves while the revolutionary forces began to organize a new Peruvian government; and WHEREAS, On February 21, 1821, Jose de San Martin promulgated the Provisional Rules, a set of legal guarantees for Peruvian citizens; on July 28, 1821, the army led by San Martin took over Lima and independence from Spain was finally proclaimed; the new Peru named San Martin their "Protector" and their ruler; and WHEREAS, On July 26, 1822, San Martin met with Simon Bolivar at Guayaquil to plan the future of Latin America; the separation from Spain culminated in 1824, resulting from the Battles of Junin and Ayachcho; and WHEREAS, Peruvians immigrated to the United States in four major waves; small but significant waves of immigration occurred in San Francisco during the gold rush, and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s; another wave of immigration occurred again early in the 20th Century, due largely to the burgeoning textile industry in New York and New Jersey; and WHEREAS, Beginning in the 1970s, another wave of Peruvians arrived in the United States, most of whom were fleeing Peru's government; the 1980s and 1990s saw the most significant influx of Peruvians to United States shores, this time in response to political instability and to a collapsing economy in Peru; and WHEREAS, Despite being a relatively recent ethnic group, the median household income for Peruvians meets the average American household income, and 30% of all Peruvians over the age of 25 have college degrees, exceeding the United States' national average of 24%; and WHEREAS, Many Peruvians have made New York their home, and this Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Peruvian people for their contributions to this great Empire State; currently, 40,477 Peruvians live in New York City, with 25,110 living in Queens; and WHEREAS, The 198th Anniversary of the independence of Peru provides an opportunity to recognize the significance of their contributions to the quality and character of life, and, through events and activities, for all people to gain a greater appreciation of Peruvian history and traditions, and of the role Peruvians have played, and will continue to play, in our society; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and exemplify the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 198th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Marita Landaveri, Consul General of Peru, New York.