Senate Resolution No. 639

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
August 15, 2023, as Indian Independence Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are important to the cultural heritage of the
citizens 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 15, 2023, as Indian
Independence Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, On August 15, 1947, India was declared independent of the
British Empire after nearly two hundred years of colonial control, which
was marked by oppression, sacrifice and struggle; and

WHEREAS, India's Independence Day is enormously important to people
around the world, as it marks the end of a 90-year struggle to achieve
stronger civil, political and economic rights along with
self-determination; and

WHEREAS, In 1857, citizens across India engaged in a revolt against
the rule of the British East India Company, the result of which was an
end to its rule, and marked the beginning of the movement to gain
India's independence; and

WHEREAS, Countless brave and courageous Indian people sacrificed
their lives for the independence of their country and for the betterment
of the lives of their families, friends, and peers; and

WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is especially noteworthy for its
use of nonviolent protest through the Noncooperation movement, led by
Mohandas Gandhi, whose teachings remind us transformative goals can be
accomplished through peace and common cause; and

WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day lead to the founding of what is
today the largest Democratic country in the world; and

WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is also significant in that it
showed the world that the various Indian peoples could unify under a
common cause; and

WHEREAS, Indian Independence Day is a momentous occasion which is
celebrated extravagantly throughout the world, including with events
such as flag raising ceremonies in each of the state capitals in India,
kite flying, national color displays, singings of the Indian national
anthem, and exquisite parades that display Indian patriotism; and

WHEREAS, It is important to honor and cherish the ancestral history
of the citizens of the State of New York, and to educate the citizens of
this state of the richness thereof; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 15, 2023, as Indian
Independence Day in the State of New York; and be it further

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