Assembly Resolution No. 330

BY: M. of A. Rajkumar

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 29, 2021, as Nepali-American Heritage Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor, with
pleasure and great pride, the Nepali American community of the State of
New York upon the occasion of the celebration of Nepal Day; 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 May 29, 2021, as
Nepali-American Heritage Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, May 29th, a national holiday in Nepal, commemorates the
date on which the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal
took place on that day in 2008, which ended the 240-year reign of the
Shah kings and declared Nepal a republic; according to the Nepali
calendar, the Republic Day is marked on Jestha 15 every year; and

WHEREAS, Since the end of its 10-year Civil War in 2006, and the
devastating earthquakes of 2015, Nepal has successfully transitioned
into a constitutional federal republic grounded in a constitution
promulgated in 2015, resulting in the United States enjoying a strong
and positive relationship with Nepal; and

WHEREAS, Nepalise immigrants have been living in the United States
since before the 20th Century; they came to America in search of
educational and economic improvement; to continue their family's
religious heritage, they often embrace and interpret American culture
through the filter of family beliefs and traditions; and

WHEREAS, New York City is home to 67 percent of New York State's
Nepalese residents with the large majority (87 percent) of Nepalese New
Yorkers living in Queens; they are known for their devotion to charity
and their willingness to help their neighbors and community, as there
are no major ethnic conflicts traditional to the Nepalese that would
affect how Nepalese Americans interact with other groups; and

WHEREAS, May 29th is also the anniversary of the first people, Sir
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, to reach the summit of Mt.
Everest in 1953; Mt. Everest is one of the greatest global significances
and Nepal is known for beautiful mountains; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is committed to educating citizens
about the world's customs, the value of cultural diversity, tolerance
grounded in First Amendment principles, a culture of mutual
understanding, and the diminution of violence; and

WHEREAS, Today, the State of New York seeks to further the diversity
of its community and afford all residents the opportunity to better
understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared
experiences of Nepali Americans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 29, 2021, as
Nepali-American Heritage Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; the Consul General of Nepal; and Nepalese-based charities and
organizations throughout the State of New York.