Senate Resolution No. 821

BY: Senator GIANARIS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 4, 2025, as Star Wars Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, Star Wars, created by George Lucas, is a cultural
phenomenon with millions of fans worldwide; and

WHEREAS, "May The Force Be With You" is an iconic phrase from the
Star Wars franchises; and

WHEREAS, According to StarWars.com, the earliest uses of the phrase
"May the Fourth Be With You" as a reference To "May The Force Be With
You" can be traced back to 1978, one year after the release of Star
Wars: A New Hope; and

WHEREAS, By 1978, Star Wars was firmly established within American
popular culture and "May the Fourth Be With You" became "like a
handshake," as Professor Leo Braudy would later comment in the
documentary, Empire of Dreams; and

WHEREAS, The earliest known use of the phrase "May the Fourth Be
With You" occurred on May 4, 1979, when Britain's new prime minister,
Margaret Thatcher assumed office and a full-page newspaper ad in The
London Evening News declared: "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie.
Congratulations!"; coincidentally, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
was in production at nearby Elstree Studios at the same time, and issues
of the Evening News could have appeared in Lucasfilm's offices; and

WHEREAS, Another lesser-known instance came from within Lucasfilm in
1982; Randy Thom, who today is the director of sound design at Skywalker
Sound and has been with the company for over 40 years, worked as a
location sound recordist on Revenge of the Jedi - its title was later
changed to Return of the Jedi and at the time of production it was known
under the codename Blue Harvest; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thom joined the production unit in northern California
as they shot in the Redwood National and State Parks, which doubled for
the forest moon of Endor; on May 4, 1982, Thom recalled thinking of the
pun on his own when contemplating the date; he shared it with others on
the set, and would continue to write an annual message to the company
declaring "May the Fourth Be With You" for years to come; and

WHEREAS, As a result of grassroots fans expanding upon these
observations year after year, the fourth day of May has universally come
to be known as Star Wars Day; and

WHEREAS, Star Wars Day observances have grown more frequent and
prominent, including the viewing of Star Wars aboard the International
Space Station on May 4, 2015, by astronauts Scott Kelly - twin brother
of fellow astronaut and United States Senator Mark Kelly - and Mikhail
Kornienko; and

WHEREAS, New York is home to some of largest events and celebrations
of science fiction and fantasy such as New York Comic Con, held every
October in New York City; and

WHEREAS, Numerous Star Wars-related appearances and announcements
occur annually at New York's Comic Con celebration; and

WHEREAS, Star Wars fans around the world have come to celebrate May
4th as Star Wars Day with parties, get-togethers and other special
events and declarations of "May the Fourth Be With You"; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2025, as Star Wars
Day in the State of New York, recognizing the profound positive impact
of Star Wars on New Yorkers and people around the world.