Assembly Resolution No. 607

BY: M. of A. Cruz

COMMEMORATING the 198th Anniversary of the
Independence of Peru

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commemorate the 198th Anniversary of the formal Independence of Peru to
be celebrated on Peruvian Cultural Day in New York at the Corona Plaza
in Corona, New York, on Saturday, July 27, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The history of the Peruvian people dates back to as early
as 10,000 BC and the oldest complex civilization, Norte Chico,
flourished along the coast of the Pacific between 3000 and 1800 BC; and

WHEREAS, Later cultures emerged including the Cipisnique, Chimu,
Wari, Chavin, Paracas, Mochica, Nazca as well as the Incas who in the
15th Century formed the most powerful empire in Pre-Columbian America;
and

WHEREAS, Peru, a Spanish Viceroyalty since 1535, was notably
exploited for its rich mineral deposits and guano used for fertilizers;
and

WHEREAS, By the early 19th Century, most South American territories
were swept by wars of independence, while the powerful colonial
government of the Viceroyalty of Peru remained loyal to Spain, only to
be challenged by the military campaigns for independence led by Jose de
San Martin and later, Simon Bolivar; and

WHEREAS, The revolutionary army led by San Martin was much smaller
than that of royalist forces, so a direct attack on the Spanish was not
a prudent move; and

WHEREAS, The revolution strategy consisted of the Peruvian people
conducting the uprisings themselves while the revolutionary forces began
to organize a new Peruvian government; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1821, Jose de San Martin promulgated the
Provisional Rules, a set of legal guarantees for Peruvian citizens; on
July 28, 1821, the army led by San Martin took over Lima and
independence from Spain was finally proclaimed; the new Peru named San
Martin their "Protector" and their ruler; and

WHEREAS, On July 26, 1822, San Martin met with Simon Bolivar at
Guayaquil to plan the future of Latin America; the separation from Spain
culminated in 1824, resulting from the Battles of Junin and Ayachcho;
and

WHEREAS, Peruvians immigrated to the United States in four major
waves; small but significant waves of immigration occurred in San
Francisco during the gold rush, and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s;
another wave of immigration occurred again early in the 20th Century,
due largely to the burgeoning textile industry in New York and New
Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in the 1970s, another wave of Peruvians arrived
in the United States, most of whom were fleeing Peru's government; the
1980s and 1990s saw the most significant influx of Peruvians to United
States shores, this time in response to political instability and to a
collapsing economy in Peru; and

WHEREAS, Despite being a relatively recent ethnic group, the median
household income for Peruvians meets the average American household
income, and 30% of all Peruvians over the age of 25 have college
degrees, exceeding the United States' national average of 24%; and

WHEREAS, Many Peruvians have made New York their home, and this
Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Peruvian people for their
contributions to this great Empire State; currently, 40,477 Peruvians
live in New York City, with 25,110 living in Queens; and

WHEREAS, The 198th Anniversary of the independence of Peru provides
an opportunity to recognize the significance of their contributions to
the quality and character of life, and, through events and activities,
for all people to gain a greater appreciation of Peruvian history and
traditions, and of the role Peruvians have played, and will continue to
play, in our society; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 198th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marita Landaveri, Consul General of Peru, New York.