Senate Resolution No. 706

BY: Senator COMRIE

CELEBRATING Holi, an ancient Hindu Spring
Festival, with the 29th Annual Phagwah Parade on
March 12, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
events which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate Holi, an
ancient Hindu Spring Festival, with the 29th Annual Phagwah Parade, to
be held on Sunday, March 12, 2017, in the Richmond Hills neighborhood of
Queens, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Phagwah Parade is an annual Hindu celebration held in
March in Richmond Hill, the home to the largest Indo-Caribbean community
in the United States; for 29 years, the residents of this neighborhood
have hosted the biggest Phagwah celebration in North America; and

WHEREAS, Over 20,000 people attend the Phagwah Parade each year;
traditionally, participants paint one another with dye and powder; at
the culmination of the parade in Smokey Oval Park, there are live music
performances as well as other traditional cultural celebrations that
last into the early evening; and

WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Federation of Hindu Mandirs, Inc. (FOHM)
and The Arya Spiritual Center (ASC), with support from the Hindu Parades
and Festivals Committee, Inc. the 29th Annual Phagwah Parade is proud to
be able to contribute to the cultural diversity of the great City of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Holi, or Phagwah as it is commonly known throughout the
Caribbean, is an ancient Hindu Spring Festival, also known as the
Festival of Colors, a celebration of the colors of unity, renewal,
forgiveness and new beginnings; and

WHEREAS, The Festival signifies the coming of spring, the joy of
friendship, and equality for all; and

WHEREAS, The colored powders used in Holi represent love, happiness,
and the freedom to live vibrantly, which are all principles shared and
promoted by CEP; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend cultural events which symbolize the historical, social and
cultural development of this great State and embody the spirit of the
principles upon which this Nation was founded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate Holi, an ancient Hindu Spring Festival, with the 29th Annual
Phagwah Parade on March 12, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Federation of Hindu Mandirs, Inc. (FOHM), The Arya
Spiritual Center (ASC), the Hindu Parades and Festivals Committee, Inc.,
and the Caribbean Equality Project.