LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
declare 8:30pm on Saturday, March 28, 2009, as Earth Hour in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to increase public
awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of this great
Empire State, as well as recognize the role all citizens have in
protecting the environment and the quality of life within New York; and
WHEREAS, On Earth Hour, cities across the world ask their residents
and businesses to turn off all lights for one hour in a collective show
of action against global warming; and
WHEREAS, Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007; world famous
landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House went dark for an hour and ener-
gy consumption in that city went down 10.2%, the equivalent of taking
48,000 cars off the road; and
WHEREAS, This year, cities ranging from Suva, Fiji, to Chicago, Illi-
nois, from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Copenhagen, Denmark, have pledged to
observe Earth Hour; and
WHEREAS, New York State should take its place among these world sites,
and give a strong show of support for this symbolic action that will
have the real effect of lowering the State's carbon emissions and envi-
ronmental impact; and
WHEREAS, Having iconic sites from the Empire State Building to the
Niagara Falls go dark will have a deep and meaningful impact to people
around the world; the time for action on global warming has come, and
although Earth Hour is not the solution to the problem, it is a real
start and will play an important role in galvanizing support to combat
the dire threat that our planet faces; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to declare 8:30pm on Saturday,
March 28, 2009, as Earth Hour in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.