Senate Resolution No. 1815

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING the Albanian-American community in New
York State upon the occasion of the Annual Parade
and Annual Independence Day Celebrations

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by immigrant-American communities that work hard to contribute to
community life; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Albanian-American community in New York State upon the
occasion of the Annual Parade and Annual Independence Day Celebrations;
and

WHEREAS, The first Albanian documented to have emigrated to the
United States was Kole Kristofori, who landed in Boston in the early
1880s and is remembered as the pioneer of the Albanian ethnic group in
the U.S.; it was not until the 1900s that a large number of Albanians
reached the U.S. East Coast; and

WHEREAS, After World War II the Albanians who emigrated to the U.S.
were mostly political emigrants; in the 1990s, many Albanians from
Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia emigrated to
the United States as refugees of war; and

WHEREAS, As of 2012, there were over 60,000 Albanian-Americans in
New York, the largest Albanian community in the United States, and

WHEREAS, The most prominent communities of Albanian-Americans in New
York are in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Westchester, and
Yonkers; and

WHEREAS, Many Albanian-Americans experienced severe political or
ethnic persecution before moving to America, and they are extremely
grateful for the freedoms afforded to all in America; and

WHEREAS, The Albanian-American community in New York immigrated to
the United States for a better life for themselves, their children, and
the generations after them; and

WHEREAS, They have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and manage some
of the most successful restaurants in our communities focusing on
Albanian or Italian-American cuisine; Albanian cuisine is also rising in
prominence and popularity with Albanian bakeries selling burek, fli, and
tollumba; and

WHEREAS, Albanian-Americans also have a notable stake in New York's
real estate market, managing substantial properties throughout the
tri-state area; and

WHEREAS, Many Albanian-Americans immigrated to the United States for
better educational opportunities for themselves and their children, and
have thrived in New York; and

WHEREAS, Albanian-Americans can be found serving New York
communities as police officers, nurses, teachers, lawyers, doctors,
financiers, and other notable professions; and

WHEREAS, Many Albanian-Americans have become involved in New York's
civic life, with the most notable Albanian-American politician serving
on the New York City Council, Mark Gjonaj, representing the 13th City
Council district; before serving on the New York City Council, Mr.
Gjonaj served as a New York State Assembly Member for the 80th District
from 2012 to 2017; prior to that, Mr. Gjonaj was the Bronx Commissioner
of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission; and

WHEREAS, Albanian-American New Yorkers are also leaving their mark
on the arts; pop artist Bleta "Bebe" Rexha was born in Brooklyn, New
York, to Albanian parents and was nominated for two Grammy Awards in
2019; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, Albanian-American Yonkers resident Florinda
Kajtazi won the Miss New York USA 2019 competition and she represented
the State of New York at the 68th Miss USA pageant; and

WHEREAS, Every year, the Albanian-American community hosts an
Albanian parade in New York City to celebrate the contributions and
accomplishments of the Albanian-American community in New York; and

WHEREAS, The Albanian-American community also hosts an annual
celebration in New York of the Albanian Independence Day on November 28,
1912; and

WHEREAS, Many Albanian-Americans also recognize and hold annual
celebrations for the Kosova declaration of independence from Serbia on
July 2, 1990; and

WHEREAS, The strength of our great Empire State is boosted by
notable diverse communities from every part of the world, and this
Legislative Body is pleased to take a moment to recognize the
Albanian-American community in New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Albanian-American community in New York State upon the
occasion of the Annual Parade and Annual Independence Day Celebrations;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to representatives of the Albanian-American community
throughout the State of New York.