New York J 312: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025, as Black History Month in the State of New York

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J00312 Summary:

BILL NOJ00312 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORSTEWART-COUSINS

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COSPNSRADDABBO, ASHBY, BAILEY, BASKIN, BORRELLO, BRISPORT, BROUK, BYNOE, CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK, CHAN,
 CLEARE, COMRIE, COONEY, FAHY, FELDER, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, GIANARIS, GONZALEZ, GOUNARDES, GRIFFO,
 HARCKHAM, HELMING, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, JACKSON, KAVANAGH, KRUEGER, LANZA, LIU, MARTINEZ,
 MARTINS, MATTERA, MAY, MAYER, MURRAY, MYRIE, OBERACKER, O'MARA, ORTT, PALUMBO, PARKER, PERSAUD,
 RAMOS, RHOADS, RIVERA, ROLISON, RYAN C, RYAN S, SALAZAR, SANDERS, SCARCELLA-SPANTON, SEPULVEDA,
 SERRANO, SKOUFIS, STAVISKY, STEC, TEDISCO, WALCZYK, WEBB, WEBER, WEIK

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J00312 Actions:

BILL NOJ00312 

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02/05/2025ADOPTED

Go to topJ00312 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ00312 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ00312 Text:

Assembly Resolution No. 96

BY: M. of A. Heastie

 MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
 February 2025, as Black History Month in the State
 of New York

 WHEREAS, Black History Month serves as an opportunity to recognize
and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of African
Americans throughout history; and

 WHEREAS, It is essential to recognize some of the most integral
parts of Black history, including the struggles; and

 WHEREAS, The Civil War was a defining moment in American history,
fought over the issue of slavery, leading to the eventual liberation of
millions of African Americans; and

 WHEREAS, The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham
Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that all enslaved individuals in
Confederate-held territories were to be freed, marking a critical step
toward the abolition of slavery; and

 WHEREAS, The passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States
Constitution on December 6, 1865, formally abolished slavery in the
United States, securing the freedom of African Americans and paving the
way for future civil rights advancements; and

 WHEREAS, Black History Month was originally established as Negro
History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a historian and educator
committed to ensuring that the achievements and contributions of African
Americans were acknowledged and preserved; and

 WHEREAS, In 1976, the celebration was expanded to a month-long
observance, recognized nationally each February to honor the profound
impact of African Americans on the history, culture, and progress of the
United States. From their contributions in science, literature,
politics, business, and the arts to their pivotal role in the fight for
civil rights and social justice; and

 WHEREAS, Black History Month seeks to emphasize that Black History
is American History; and

 WHEREAS, The month of February observes the rich and diverse
heritage of our great State and Nation and encourages the celebration of
Black History Month to provide a continuing opportunity for all people
in the United States to learn from the past, and understand the factors
that have shaped and guided the course of our present-day experiences;
and

 WHEREAS, The achievements of African Americans have been
instrumental in shaping the nation's progress, and it is essential to
highlight some key moments, accomplishments, and historical firsts that
have left a lasting impact on American history; and

 WHEREAS, From the legal field to public office, John S. Rock became
the first African American admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court
in 1865, followed by Oscar J. Dunn as the first African American
lieutenant governor in Louisiana in 1868; Hiram Revels made history as
the first African American U.S. Senator in 1870, and Charlotte E. Ray
became the first African American female lawyer in the United States in
1872; in education, Booker T. Washington founded Tuskegee Institute in
1881, helping pave the way for future Black scholars; in athletics,
George Poage won an Olympic medal in 1904, and Jesse Owens defied racial
prejudices with four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics; in
innovation, Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman to
earn a pilot's license in 1921, Garrett Morgan invented the modern
traffic signal and received a patent in 1923; in the arts, Hattie
McDa