Senate Resolution No. 5575

BY: Senator PERALTA

COMMEMORATING the 193rd Anniversary of Uruguay's
Declaration of Independence on August 25, 2018

WHEREAS, Prior to European colonization, what is now Uruguay was
home to Charrua people who were driven south from Paraguay by the
Guarani people; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1500s, Spanish conquerors discovered Uruguay
and despite great native resistance and lack of silver and gold,
eventually colonized the land otherwise undesired by the Portuguese in
neighboring Brazil; and

WHEREAS, Uruguay's true resources such as its sprawling prairies and
nearly inexhaustible water supply were soon recognized by the Spanish;
the Spanish introduced the first cattle, subsequently, Uruguay would
become a livestock colony; and

WHEREAS, Uruguay had grown to be quite prosperous by the early 17th
Century and even more so in the 18th Century after the founding of
Montevideo, a military stronghold and burgeoning commercial center; and

WHEREAS, Upon the passing of Uruguay's formative generations, their
descendents became reasonably aware of the lack of freedoms including
self-government and social promotion; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of the American, French and myriad South
American Revolutions, Uruguay began a revolutionary movement led by Jose
Gervasio Artigas in 1811, which created years of great conflict between
the Spanish, Portugese and British forces; and

WHEREAS, By 1821, present day Uruguay was annexed by Brazil; and

WHEREAS, Artigas had retreated to Paraguay, but an army of 33 men
continued the Crusade for Liberation culminating on August 25, 1825; the
Declaration of Uruguay's Independence was made and Uruguay joined a
regional federation with Argentina; and

WHEREAS, In 1828, the United Kingdom helped shape and enact the
Treaty of Montevideo, also called the Preliminary Peace Convention which
deemed Uruguay an independent state and by 1830, the first national
constitution was adopted; and

WHEREAS, Uruguay, as a developing nation, has thrived despite the
numerous social, economic and political struggles; and

WHEREAS, Many Uruguayans have made New York their home, and this
Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Uruguayan people for their
contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 193rd Anniversary of Uruguay's Declaration of
Independence on August 25, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Pauline Davis Ambrosoni, Consul General of Uruguay in New
York.