Assembly Resolution No. 1001

BY: M. of A. McDonald

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 6, 2024, as Missing Persons Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to create public
awareness concerning the devastation occurring as a result of the
unexplained disappearances of loved ones; 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 April 6, 2024, as Missing
Persons Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Saturday, April 6, 2024, is the observance of the 46th
birthday of Suzanne Gloria Lyall, a University at Albany student who has
been missing since 1998; this year, March 2, 2024, will mark the 26th
Anniversary of when she disappeared; and

WHEREAS, A bright, creative and talented computer science student,
Suzanne G. Lyall touched countless lives with her poetry, radiant
personality and cheerful, infectious smile; and

WHEREAS, The youngest of the three children of Mary and the late
Doug Lyall, Suzanne of Ballston Spa, New York, disappeared at the age of
19 in the prime of her life, while preparing for a brilliant future; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, legislation was enacted that required all colleges
to adopt plans for the investigation of reports of missing students and
of violent felony offenses occurring on their campuses, and further
required that such plans include agreements with local police agencies
for coordination of these investigations; the legislation also required
the Division of Criminal Justice Services to operate a toll free 24-hour
telephone number that members of the public may call to obtain
information as to resources available to the public to assist in the
location and recovery of missing persons; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, New York State passed legislation known as
"Suzanne's Law," which provides for increased penalties for certain
crimes committed on school grounds; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York intends to make April 6, 2024, a day
of recognition of the need to further enhance efforts to locate missing
persons in New York, noting the missing persons epidemic in this State,
and the impact this epidemic has on the families, people close to a
missing individual, and the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Several thousand people are labeled as missing in New York
State, many of whom are 18 years of age or older; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
attempt to bring comfort to the family members of missing persons in the
State of New York who suffer from continuous grieving and who are
condemned to carry the burden of uncertainty as a result of not knowing

the true circumstances of their loved one's disappearance or
whereabouts; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body reaffirms its ongoing crusade by
observing April 6, 2024, as Missing Persons Day in the State of New
York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 6, 2024, as Missing
Persons 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.