Assembly Bill A3416

2009-2010 Legislative Session

Designates the tenth day of March of each year as a public holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman day

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 03, 2010	held for consideration in judiciary
Feb 25, 2010	print number 3416b
Feb 25, 2010	amend and recommit to judiciary
Jan 06, 2010	referred to judiciary
Nov 19, 2009	print number 3416a
Nov 19, 2009	amend and recommit to judiciary
Jan 27, 2009	referred to judiciary

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

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multi-Sponsors

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2009-A3416 - Details

Current Committee:: Assembly Judiciary
Law Section:: General Construction Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §24, Gen Con L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: A2623
2013-2014: A3155
2015-2016: A2087
2017-2018: A1574
2019-2020: A3627
2021-2022: A1786
2023-2024: A4783
2025-2026: A7307

2009-A3416 - Summary

Designates the tenth day of March of each year as a public holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman day.

2009-A3416 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3416

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M. of A. PRETLOW, GREENE, KOLB, TOWNS -- Multi-Sponsored
  by -- M. of A. COOK, GORDON, JOHN, SPANO, THIELE,  WEINSTEIN  --  read
  once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

AN  ACT to amend the general construction law, in relation to the desig-
  nation of Harriet Tubman day

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section 24 of the general construction law, as amended by
chapter 347 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
  S 24. Public holidays; half-holidays. The term public holiday includes
the following days in each year:  the first day of January, known as New
Year's day; the third Monday of January,  known  as  Dr.  Martin  Luther
King, Jr. day; the twelfth day of February, known as Lincoln's birthday;
the  third Monday in February, known as Washington's birthday; THE TENTH
DAY OF MARCH, KNOWN AS HARRIET TUBMAN DAY; the last Monday in May, known
as Memorial day; the second Sunday in  June,  known  as  Flag  day;  the
fourth  day  of  July,  known  as  Independence day; the first Monday in
September, known as Labor day; the second Monday in  October,  known  as
Columbus  day; the eleventh day of November, known as Veterans' day; the
fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving day; and the  twenty-
fifth  day  of December, known as Christmas day, and if any of such days
except Flag day  is  Sunday,  the  next  day  thereafter;  each  general
election  day,  and  each  day  appointed by the president of the United
States or by the governor of this state as a day of  general  thanksgiv-
ing, general fasting and prayer, or other general religious observances.
The  term half-holiday includes the period from noon to midnight of each
Saturday which is not a public holiday.
  S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next  succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06768-01-9

co-Sponsors

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multi-Sponsors

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2009-A3416A - Details

Current Committee:: Assembly Judiciary
Law Section:: General Construction Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §24, Gen Con L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: A2623
2013-2014: A3155
2015-2016: A2087
2017-2018: A1574
2019-2020: A3627
2021-2022: A1786
2023-2024: A4783
2025-2026: A7307

2009-A3416A - Summary

Designates the tenth day of March of each year as a public holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman day.

2009-A3416A - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:A3416A

TITLE  OF  BILL:    An  act  to  amend  the general construction law, in
relation to the designation of Harriet Tubman day

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:   The primary purpose  of  this  legis-
lation  is to establish a half holiday that commemorates Harriet Tubman,
her life achievements and her pivotal role  in  the  "Underground  Rail-
road".  The  legislation  will designate the second Saturday of March of
each year, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  This legislation will make  the  second
Saturday  of  March  of each year a half holiday, to be known as Harriet
Tubman Day.

JUSTIFICATION:  Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot,
who faithfully served her country and liberated her people. Her tireless
efforts to attain freedom for those enslaved, and her dedication to stop
the inhumane practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated. It
is only fitting to pay tribute to an American  heroine,  who  sacrificed
everything for the well being of her people and country. The creation of
a  state  holiday,  that  recognizes  the  lifetime achievements and the
historical legacy established by Harriet  Tubman,  throughout  New  York
State is befitting.

Harriet  Ross  Tubman,  the great American abolitionist, was born on the

Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1820, on  a  plantation  in  Dorchester
County,  Maryland. As in the case of many slaves, Harriet Tubman was put
to work as a field hand at an early age. Because of her  color  and  her
status  as  a  slave, she was denied the opportunity to learn to read or
write. Nevertheless, Harriet Tubman was able to rise above  the  limita-
tions that were placed on her as a slave and as a black woman.

In  1849,  Harriet Tubman escaped to the North and settled in Philadelp-
hia. While in Philadelphia, Harriet Tubman met William Still, the Phila-
delphia Stationmaster of the "Underground Railroad".    It  was  William
Still  along  with the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society that introduced
Harriet Tubman to the inner workings of the "Underground Railroad".  The
"Underground Railroad" was a network of families and people that offered
their  assistance, food or shelter to slaves, during their escape to the
north.

One year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a conductor (guide  who
led  escaped  slaves to freedom) on the "Underground Railroad". In 1851,
Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to North  Street  in  St.
Catherines  Ontario, Canada. This eventually became her headquarters for
the "Underground Railroad". In the ensuing years, Harriet Tubman  became
one  of the most influential conductors. In the mid 1850s Harriet Tubman
made the acquaintance of United States Senator, Secretary of  State  and
former New York State Governor William H. Seward and his wife Frances in
Auburn,  New  York.  The  Sewards  in  1857, provided a home for Harriet

Tubman in Auburn, New York, which was later sold to her. This  new  home
was to become her new base of operations for the Underground Railroad.

When  the  Civil  War began, Harriet Tubman was able to liberate several
hundreds of her people to freedom, via the  "Underground  Railroad".  As
the  most  influential  conductor in the "Underground Railroad", Harriet
Tubman helped free approximately 300 slaves. Harriet Tubman was proud to
claim that, "she never ran her train off the  track  and  never  lost  a
passenger." When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman served as a cook in
the  Union Army in South Carolina, a nurse, a scout for raiding parties,
and a spy behind confederate lines. After her service to the Union army,
Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn, New York where she lived the  remain-
ing years of her life.

In  1903,  Harriet  Tubman  transferred ownership of her property to the
A.M.E. Zion Church. After her death in March 1913, the church  developed
and managed her home and adjacent property in order to sustain her memo-
ry.  Harriet Tubman was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York
with full military honors. Currently, the Harriet Tubman home and  prop-
erty  are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, New York.
The site is also part of the National Parks Service Freedom Trail.

Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to  the  black  slave
she  was  considered  to  be the "Black Moses" who delivered to them the
"buried promise of freedom". Harriet Tubman through her actions and life
embodied the true essence of service, spirit and strength. It  is  esti-
mated  that  through  her  service  about 300 slaves were able to attain
their freedom. Because of her spirit, countless slaves were  given  hope
and  through  her strength and conviction, she was compelled to risk her
own freedom so that other slaves could experience freedom.  Through  the
establishment  of  a state holiday, this legislation aims to ensure that
the rich historical legacy and life achievements of Harriet  Tubman  are
recognized and celebrated throughout New York State.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2000: A.9200/S.6218 Passed Assembly

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:  None

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately

2009-A3416A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3416--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A. PRETLOW, KOLB, TOWNS, JAFFEE, GLICK, DESTITO,
  FIELDS, REILLY, HEASTIE, DelMONTE, CHRISTENSEN, MAISEL, HOOPER, SPANO,
  ORTIZ, GUNTHER, GIBSON -- Multi-Sponsored  by  --  M.  of  A.  ALESSI,
  BACALLES,  COOK,  CROUCH, DUPREY, FARRELL, GORDON, JOHN, THIELE, WEIN-
  STEIN, WEISENBERG -- read once and referred to the Committee on  Judi-
  ciary  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended, ordered reprinted as
  amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the general construction law, in relation to the  desig-
  nation of Harriet Tubman day

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 24 of the general construction law, as  amended  by
chapter 347 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
  S 24. Public holidays; half-holidays. The term public holiday includes
the following days in each year:  the first day of January, known as New
Year's  day;  the  third  Monday  of January, known as Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. day; the twelfth day of February, known as Lincoln's birthday;
the third Monday in February, known as Washington's birthday; THE SECOND
SATURDAY IN MARCH, KNOWN AS HARRIET TUBMAN DAY; the last Monday in  May,
known as Memorial day; the second Sunday in June, known as Flag day; the
fourth  day  of  July,  known  as  Independence day; the first Monday in
September, known as Labor day; the second Monday in  October,  known  as
Columbus  day; the eleventh day of November, known as Veterans' day; the
fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving day; and the  twenty-
fifth  day  of December, known as Christmas day, and if any of such days
except Flag day  is  Sunday,  the  next  day  thereafter;  each  general
election  day,  and  each  day  appointed by the president of the United
States or by the governor of this state as a day of  general  thanksgiv-
ing, general fasting and prayer, or other general religious observances.
The  term half-holiday includes the period from noon to midnight of each
Saturday which is not a public holiday.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD06768-05-9

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

multi-Sponsors

View additional multi-sponsors

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Assembly Judiciary
Law Section:: General Construction Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §24, Gen Con L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: A2623
2013-2014: A3155
2015-2016: A2087
2017-2018: A1574
2019-2020: A3627
2021-2022: A1786
2023-2024: A4783
2025-2026: A7307

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Designates the tenth day of March of each year as a public holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman day.

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:A3416B

TITLE  OF  BILL:    An  act  to  amend  the general construction law, in
relation to the designation of Harriet Tubman day

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:   The primary purpose  of  this  legis-
lation  is to establish a half holiday that commemorates Harriet Tubman,
her life achievements and her pivotal role  in  the  "Underground  Rail-
road".  The  legislation  will designate the second Saturday of March of
each year, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  This legislation will make  the  second
Saturday  of  March  of each year a half holiday, to be known as Harriet
Tubman Day.

JUSTIFICATION:  Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot,
who faithfully served her country and liberated her people. Her tireless
efforts to attain freedom for those enslaved, and her dedication to stop
the inhumane practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated. It
is only fitting to pay tribute to an American  heroine,  who  sacrificed
everything for the well being of her people and country. The creation of
a  state  holiday,  that  recognizes  the  lifetime achievements and the
historical legacy established by Harriet  Tubman,  throughout  New  York
State is befitting.

Harriet  Ross  Tubman,  the great American abolitionist, was born on the

Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1820, on  a  plantation  in  Dorchester
County,  Maryland. As in the case of many slaves, Harriet Tubman was put
to work as a field hand at an early age. Because of her  color  and  her
status  as  a  slave, she was denied the opportunity to learn to read or
write. Nevertheless, Harriet Tubman was able to rise above  the  limita-
tions that were placed on her as a slave and as a black woman.

In  1849,  Harriet Tubman escaped to the North and settled in Philadelp-
hia. While in Philadelphia, Harriet Tubman met William Still, the Phila-
delphia Stationmaster of the "Underground Railroad".    It  was  William
Still  along  with the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society that introduced
Harriet Tubman to the inner workings of the "Underground Railroad".  The
"Underground Railroad" was a network of families and people that offered
their  assistance, food or shelter to slaves, during their escape to the
north.

One year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a conductor (guide  who
led  escaped  slaves to freedom) on the "Underground Railroad". In 1851,
Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to North  Street  in  St.
Catherines  Ontario, Canada. This eventually became her headquarters for
the "Underground Railroad". In the ensuing years, Harriet Tubman  became
one  of the most influential conductors. In the mid 1850s Harriet Tubman
made the acquaintance of United States Senator, Secretary of  State  and
former New York State Governor William H. Seward and his wife Frances in
Auburn,  New  York.  The  Sewards  in  1857, provided a home for Harriet

Tubman in Auburn, New York, which was later sold to her. This  new  home
was to become her new base of operations for the Underground Railroad.

When  the  Civil  War began, Harriet Tubman was able to liberate several
hundreds of her people to freedom, via the  "Underground  Railroad".  As
the  most  influential  conductor in the "Underground Railroad", Harriet
Tubman helped free approximately 300 slaves. Harriet Tubman was proud to
claim that, "she never ran her train off the  track  and  never  lost  a
passenger." When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman served as a cook in
the  Union Army in South Carolina, a nurse, a scout for raiding parties,
and a spy behind confederate lines. After her service to the Union army,
Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn, New York where she lived the  remain-
ing years of her life.

In  1903,  Harriet  Tubman  transferred ownership of her property to the
A.M.E. Zion Church. After her death in March 1913, the church  developed
and managed her home and adjacent property in order to sustain her memo-
ry.  Harriet Tubman was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York
with full military honors. Currently, the Harriet Tubman home and  prop-
erty  are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, New York.
The site is also part of the National Parks Service Freedom Trail.

Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to  the  black  slave
she  was  considered  to  be the "Black Moses" who delivered to them the
"buried promise of freedom". Harriet Tubman through her actions and life
embodied the true essence of service, spirit and strength. It  is  esti-
mated  that  through  her  service  about 300 slaves were able to attain
their freedom. Because of her spirit, countless slaves were  given  hope
and  through  her strength and conviction, she was compelled to risk her
own freedom so that other slaves could experience freedom.  Through  the
establishment  of  a state holiday, this legislation aims to ensure that
the rich historical legacy and life achievements of Harriet  Tubman  are
recognized and celebrated throughout New York State.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2000: A.9200/S.6218 Passed Assembly

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:  None

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3416--B

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A. PRETLOW, KOLB, TOWNS, JAFFEE, GLICK, DESTITO,
  FIELDS, REILLY, HEASTIE, DelMONTE, CHRISTENSEN, MAISEL, HOOPER, SPANO,
  ORTIZ, GUNTHER, GIBSON, BRODSKY, GORDON,  HOYT,  CASTRO,  SCARBOROUGH,
  BARRON,  WRIGHT, THIELE, STIRPE, CLARK, TITUS -- Multi-Sponsored by --
  M. of A. ALESSI, BACALLES, COOK, CROUCH, DUPREY, FARRELL, JOHN,  WEIN-
  STEIN,  WEISENBERG -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judi-
  ciary -- committee discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as
  amended  and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --  recommitted to the
  Committee on Judiciary in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec.  2  --
  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
  recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the general construction law, in relation to the  desig-
  nation of Harriet Tubman day

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 24 of the general construction law, as  amended  by
chapter 347 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
  S 24. Public holidays; half-holidays. The term public holiday includes
the following days in each year:  the first day of January, known as New
Year's  day;  the  third  Monday  of January, known as Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. day; the twelfth day of February, known as Lincoln's birthday;
the third Monday in February, known as Washington's birthday; THE  TENTH
DAY OF MARCH, KNOWN AS HARRIET TUBMAN DAY; the last Monday in May, known
as  Memorial  day;  the  second  Sunday  in June, known as Flag day; the
fourth day of July, known as  Independence  day;  the  first  Monday  in
September,  known  as  Labor day; the second Monday in October, known as
Columbus day; the eleventh day of November, known as Veterans' day;  the
fourth  Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving day; and the twenty-
fifth day of December, known as Christmas day, and if any of  such  days
except  Flag  day  is  Sunday,  the  next  day  thereafter; each general
election day, and each day appointed by  the  president  of  the  United

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06768-06-0

A. 3416--B                          2

States  or  by the governor of this state as a day of general thanksgiv-
ing, general fasting and prayer, or other general religious observances.
The term half-holiday includes the period from noon to midnight of  each
Saturday which is not a public holiday.
  S  2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

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Assembly Bill A3416

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2009-A3416 - Details

2009-A3416 - Summary

2009-A3416 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2009-A3416A - Details

2009-A3416A - Summary

2009-A3416A - Sponsor Memo

2009-A3416A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Details

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Assembly Bill A3416

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Sponsored By

PRETLOW

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Brian Kolb

Darryl Towns

Ellen C. Jaffee

Deborah Glick

multi-Sponsors

Marc Alessi

James Bacalles

Vivian Cook

Clifford Crouch

2009-A3416 - Details

2009-A3416 - Summary

2009-A3416 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Brian Kolb

Darryl Towns

Ellen C. Jaffee

Deborah Glick

multi-Sponsors

Marc Alessi

James Bacalles

Vivian Cook

Clifford Crouch

2009-A3416A - Details

2009-A3416A - Summary

2009-A3416A - Sponsor Memo

2009-A3416A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Brian Kolb

Darryl Towns

Ellen C. Jaffee

Deborah Glick

multi-Sponsors

Marc Alessi

James Bacalles

Vivian Cook

Clifford Crouch

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Details

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2009-A3416B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments