BILL NUMBER: S3986               REVISED 02/07/2020

SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the month
of May as Korean American Family Month

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of the bill is to designate May as Korean American Family
Month.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill adds a new Section 168-b to define a month of
commemoration as a calendar month designated by this section or desig-
nated by a proclamation of the governor or a jointly adopted resolution
by the senate and assembly. It also designates May as Korean American
Family Month.

              

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In December of 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea and
traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in Hono-
lulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903. Since their arrival, Korean Americans
have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family
ties, community support, and hard work. Family values and the importance
of education are at the core of Korean culture.  Specifically, the
concept of "filial piety," or love and respect for one's parents and
ancestors, is a vital family virtue honored by Koreans for centuries.

Children's Day was founded in 1923 and with it came the Proclamation of
Children's Day, which contains eight requests by children to adults,
such as treating children with respect and providing a caring environ-
ment for children to learn and develop. On May 5th each year, parents
and children spend the day together to strengthen the ties of the fami-
ly. Since 1973, Koreans have celebrated Parents' Day on May 8th by
presenting their parents with a red carnation and gifts. May 15th is
designated as Teacher's Day. Korea has a long tradition of sincere
respect and admiration for teachers, and students are taught to respect
their teachers from the very first time they enter a school.  The Korean
American community in New York State continues to honor family values
through various events and ceremonies held annually during the month of
May. According to the 2010 United States Census, there are over 153,000
Korean Americans living in New York. The State of New York has benefit-
ted culturally, economically, and intellectually as a result of the many
contributions of its vibrant Korean American community. Therefore, it is
appropriate to designate May as Korean American Family Month.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-2018: S.1971 / A.1521 - Passed Senate

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect on the first of January after it shall have
become law.