New York J 5799: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 20, 2018, as World Refugee Day in the State of New York

Bill Text

Senate Resolution No. 5799
Senator KLEINBY:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaimMEMORIALIZING
June 20, 2018, as World Refugee Day in the State of
New York, in conjunction with the observance of the
United Nations World Refugee Day
It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognizeWHEREAS,
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State and the world; and
According to the United Nations, every minute 24 peopleWHEREAS,
leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror; and
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner forWHEREAS,
Refugees (UNHCR) was established in December of 1950 to lead and
coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee
problems worldwide; and
There were 25.4 million refugees of concern to UNHCR aroundWHEREAS,
the world at the end of 2017; and
In addition, the UNHCR had determined that 1.19 millionWHEREAS,
refugees are in need of immediate resettlement at the end of 2017; and
Between October 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018, the UnitedWHEREAS,
States admitted 14,331 refugees, according to the U.S. The Bureau of
Population, Refugees, and Migration; and
New York consistently ranks among the top Nations forWHEREAS,
accepting refugees as per Department of State, Bureau of Population,
Refugees and Migration data; and
The Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. DepartmentWHEREAS,
of Health and Human Services has released that International Rescue
Committee (IRC), Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Church World
Service (CWS), Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC), Episcopal
Migration Ministries (EMM), United States Committee for Refugees and
Immigrants (USCRI), Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS),
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and World Relief
Corporation (WR), some of the organizations responsible for resettling
refugees in our community, along with numerous other community
organizations and religious institutions have resettled more than 5,028
refugees in New York since October 2015 from more than 40 countries
including Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq and Syria; and
It is important to also pay tribute to the dedication ofWHEREAS,
humanitarian workers both domestically and abroad who devote their lives
to ensuring that vulnerable people can find a home; and
There continue to be individuals and families in need ofWHEREAS,
refuge and the support of New York State; now, therefore, be it

That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations toRESOLVED,
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 20, 2018, as World
Refugee Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of United Nations World Refugee Day; and be it further
That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, beRESOLVED,
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees.