LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 23, 2011, as Turkish Heritage and Children's Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish
people valiantly fought a long war of liberation to safeguard their
sovereignty and independence, and founded the Republic of Turkey on
October 29, 1923; and
WHEREAS, Realizing the significance and importance of looking to the
future, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk dedicated April 23rd as a national holiday
for Turkish children; this holiday is celebrated every year in Turkey,
along with an International Children's Day Festival; and
WHEREAS, Annually, on Turkish Heritage and Children's Day, the Turkish
government replaces the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly
and holds a special session to discuss children's issues; and
WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, Turkish officials have also been
seeking to internationalize Turkish Heritage and Children's Day; their
efforts have resulted in large numbers of countries sending groups of
children to Turkey to participate in these festivities where they are
housed in Turkish homes for 10 days and learn about each others'
cultures and traditions; they also participate in the special session of
the Grand National Assembly where children pledge their commitment to
international peace and brotherhood; and
WHEREAS, The United States participated in the 2009 festivities
surrounding Turkish Heritage and Children's Day in Turkey; in 2010,
UNICEF recognized this important day as International Children's Day - a
day of worldwide fraternity and understanding among children; and
WHEREAS, Observing April 23, 2011, as Turkish Heritage and Children's
Day in the State of New York will promote the welfare of the children in
New York and the world as a day of activity devoted just for them; and
WHEREAS, Americans of Turkish descent in New York have played a
significant role in the educational, cultural, economic and civic devel-
opment in the great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that many individuals of
Turkish descent have chosen New York as their home and share their rich
heritage with all New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, All Turks and Turkish Americans will be celebrating Turkish
Heritage and Children's Day in the State of New York, and local Turkish
American cultural centers in New York are planning to promote Turkish
Heritage and Children's Day in the State of New York; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 23, 2011, as
Turkish Heritage and Children's Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and to Jon Kaplan, Vice President, FTAA, 821 UN Plaza, New York,
New York 10017.