Senate Resolution No. 852

BY: Senator TEDISCO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 17, 2025, as Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
understand American history and America's First Principles which are the
bedrock values that formed the basis of the American Experiment; and

WHEREAS, Each year, on September 17th, the American community
celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on the anniversary of
the Founding Fathers signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17,
1787; and

WHEREAS, The events that led to the signing of the Constitution of
the United States of America by the delegates of the Constitutional
Convention on September 17, 1787, have significance for every American
and are honored in public schools across the nation on September 17th of
each year as Constitution Day; and

WHEREAS, Louise Leigh founded "Constitution Day, Inc." in 1997 -- a
nonprofit organization to recognize the importance of the Constitution,
and in 2004, her efforts led to Constitution Day becoming an official
holiday on September 17th; and

WHEREAS, The origin of Citizenship Day dates to 1940 when "I am an
American Day" was celebrated on the third Sunday in May; then in 1952,
Congress moved the date to September 17th and renamed it "Citizenship
Day" until 2004, when the official name changed to "Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day"; and

WHEREAS, Each year, United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) celebrates this occasion with special naturalization
ceremonies across the country welcoming hundreds of thousands of new
citizens from all over the world; and

WHEREAS, In wave after wave through the centuries, people from every
corner of the globe have come to the shores of America seeking life,
liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and a better life for themselves and
their families; and

WHEREAS, New York State consistently ranks second in the largest
number of persons naturalized by state of residence annually,
representing more than 12% of the National total according to
statistical data from USCIS; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body joins the sentiment of those original
framers, and wishes to demonstrate its continued commitment to the U.S.
Constitution, and extends a warm welcome to people around the world
seeking to become Naturalized United States citizens; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 17, 2025, as
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day; 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.