Senate Resolution No. 1159

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 16, 2021, as Day of the African Child in the
State of New York

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

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 16, 2021, as Day
of the African Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Day of the African Child; and

WHEREAS, Established on June 16, 1991 by the Organization of African
Unity (OAU), Day of the African Child honors those who participated in
the Soweto Uprising in 1976, while also raising awareness of the
continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African
children; and

WHEREAS, This vital day began as a protest by thousands, mostly
students, against the government's insistence that the Afrikaans
language, a language of the white minority who ruled South Africa, be
used as the medium of instruction in Soweto's high schools, which served
black Africans; and

WHEREAS, In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, approximately
10,000 black school children marched in a column more than half a mile
long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their
right to be taught in their own language; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of young students were shot and more than 100
people were killed in these protests; in the following two weeks,
approximately 1,000 were injured; and

WHEREAS, On June 16th every year, governments, NGOs, international
organizations and other stakeholders gather to discuss the challenges
and opportunities facing the full realization of the rights of children
in Africa; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those important days which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of
our great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 16, 2021, as Day
of the African Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Day of the African Child, in honor of the
significant and countless contributions of New Yorkers of African
descent who have enriched our Nation and our State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.