Senate Resolution No. 5430

BY: Senator PERALTA

COMMEMORATING the 208th Anniversary of Colombia's
Declaration of Independence on July 20, 2018

WHEREAS, Colombia is the only overland gateway joining North and
Central America with South America; and

WHEREAS, Native Colombians, African people, and Spanish settlers
contributed to the "cultural melting pot" of what is today Colombia; and

WHEREAS, After centuries under Spanish colonial rule characterized
by political uprisings, cultural and religious influence, and the
emergence of new social classes, Colombia's independence process started
on July 20, 1810; and

WHEREAS, On that day, the citizens of Bogota created the first
representative council leading to what would become Colombia's first
national government; and

WHEREAS, Though this revolutionary movement was only the beginning
of Colombia's process of independence, it was a crucial turning point
for the nation's social cohesion and much of Latin America; and

WHEREAS, Led by Simon Bolivar, complete victory over the Spanish was
declared in August of 1819; and

WHEREAS, Today, Colombia is often recognized as Latin America's
oldest democracy; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body would like to recognize that New York
is home to many Colombians and Colombian-Americans and would like to
join them in celebrating Colombia's Independence Day; now, therefore be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 208th Anniversary of Colombia's Declaration of
Independence, on July 20, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Maria Isabel Nieto Jaramillo, Consul General of Colombia
in New York, and to New York's various Colombian organizations.