LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Indo-Caribbean Federation upon the
occasion of its Annual East Indian Arrival Day celebration

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Indo-Caribbean Federation upon the occasion of its Annual East Indi-
an Arrival Day celebration; and
WHEREAS, People from the Indian subcontinent have been emigrating to
the American continent for 170 years; and
WHEREAS, Since they hail from the Indian subcontinent, they are
referred to as East Indians to differentiate from the Native American
population; and
WHEREAS, The great State of New York is home to a large population of
this proud and industrious group of people; and
WHEREAS, Indian Americans have made numerous contributions to the
culture and livelihood of not only New York, but also to the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Many of the United State's most accomplished people are of
East Indian heritage; and
WHEREAS, Kalpana Chawla was a distinguished NASA astronaut who lost
her life in the space shuttle Columbia accident in January of 2003; and
WHEREAS, Dinesh D'Souza, a well-known public speaker and academic who
is the current President of the King's College, is an East Indian immi-
grant; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nirav R. Shah was chosen to be the first Indian-American
New York State Commissioner of Health; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned individuals make up only a small fraction
of the distinguished Americans of Indian heritage; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Indo-Caribbean Federation upon the occasion of its Annual
East Indian Arrival Day celebration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Indo-Caribbean Federation.