LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 186th Anniversary of Uruguay's
Declaration of Independence on August 25, 2011

WHEREAS, Prior to European colonization, what is now Uruguay was home to
Charrua people who were driven south from Paraguay by the Guarani
people; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1500s, Spanish conquerors discovered Uruguay and
despite great native resistance and lack of silver and gold, eventually
colonized the land otherwise undesired by the Portuguese in neighboring
Brazil; and
WHEREAS, Uruguay's true resources such as its sprawling prairies and
nearly inexhaustible water supply were soon recognized by the Spanish;
the Spanish introduced the first cattle, subsequently, Uruguay would
become a livestock colony; and
WHEREAS, Uruguay had grown to be quite prosperous by the early 17th
Century and even more so in the 18th Century after the founding of
Montevideo, a military stronghold and burgeoning commercial center; and
WHEREAS, Upon the passing of Uruguay's formative generations, their
descendents became reasonably aware of the lack of freedoms including
self-government and social promotion; and
WHEREAS, In the wake of the American, French and myriad South American
Revolutions, Uruguay began a revolutionary movement led by Jose Gervasio
Artigas in 1811, which created years of great conflict between the Span-
ish, Portugese and British forces; and
WHEREAS, By 1821, present day Uruguay was annexed by Brazil; and
WHEREAS, Artigas had retreated to Paraguay, but an army of 33 men
continued the Crusade for Liberation culminating on August 25, 1825; the
Declaration of Uruguay's Independence was made and Uruguay joined a
regional federation with Argentina; and
WHEREAS, In 1828, the United Kingdom helped shape and enact the Treaty
of Montevideo, also called the Preliminary Peace Convention which deemed
Uruguay an independent state and by 1830, the first national constitu-
tion was adopted; and
WHEREAS, Uruguay, as a developing nation, has thrived despite the
numerous social, economic and political struggles; and
WHEREAS, Many Uruguayans have made New York their home, and this
Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Uruguayan people for their
contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 186th Anniversary of Uruguay's Declaration of Independ-
ence on August 25, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Adriana Lissidini, Consul General of Uruguay in New York.