Assembly Resolution No. 778

BY: M. of A. Gonzalez-Rojas

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 15, 2025, as Paraguayan Heritage Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate
historical events which exemplify the spirit and struggle of peoples
throughout the world to achieve independence and live in peace and
freedom; 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 May 15, 2025, as
Paraguayan Heritage Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the commemoration of the 214th Anniversary of the Independence of the
Republic of Paraguay; and

WHEREAS, Paraguay is a Spanish speaking country in South America
that shares borders with Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina; and

WHEREAS, Pre-Columbian society in the wooded, fertile region which
is now present-day Paraguay, consisted of semi-nomadic tribes, who were
recognized for their fierce warrior traditions; and

WHEREAS, These indigenous tribes were members of five distinct
language families, and 17 separate ethno-linguistic groups which still
remain today; and

WHEREAS, Europeans first arrived in the area in the early 16th
Century, and the settlement of Asuncion, the capital and largest city of
Paraguay, was founded on August 15, 1537, by the Spanish explorer Juan
de Salazar y Espinoza; and

WHEREAS, The city of Asuncion eventually became the center of a
Spanish colonial province, as well as a primary site of the Jesuit
missions and settlements in South America in the 18th Century; and

WHEREAS, Jesuit Reductions were founded and flourished in eastern
Paraguay for about 150 years until the expulsion of the Jesuits by the
Spanish crown in 1767; and

WHEREAS, Paraguay officially declared its independence after
over-throwing the local Spanish administration on May 15, 1811; and

WHEREAS, The first Paraguayans arrived in America between 1841 and
1850; today, it is still a developing nation; its citizens have endured
through both national political instability and a transition toward a
democratic government; and

WHEREAS, While a small nation in size and population, Paraguay is a
nation of rich cultural diversity; Guarani, the secondary national
language, is spoken in communities throughout Paraguay; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau in 2022, there
were about 24,500 Paraguayans currently living in the United States;
historically, a significant number of Paraguayans left their home
country during the nation's civil war in 1947, and relocated in large
cities across the United States with large concentrations located in New
York's counties of Queens and Westchester; and

WHEREAS, According to the New York Mayor's Office of Immigrant
Affairs, the Paraguayan population in New York between 2010 and 2019
grew at an astounding rate of 154.4%, from a reported number of 1,674 in
2010, to the most recent count of 4,259 in 2019; likewise the percentage
growth of the Paraguayan population in New York City doubled from 0.2%
in 2010, to the most recent accounting of 0.4% in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Multiple cultural organizations in New York City are
planning on holding various cultural and social gatherings as well as
historical celebrations to commemorate the 214th Anniversary of the
Independence of the Republic of Paraguay; and

WHEREAS, These vital organizations will also be involved in
celebrating the Republic of Paraguay's Independence to further the goal
of cultivating and bringing awareness to the Paraguayan culture among
Paraguayan people in and around New York City, and educating the
importance of history and culture of Paraguayan to everyone; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the
great contributions which Paraguayans have brought to our State and
Nation, and to wish them all continued success in their purposeful
endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 15, 2025, as
Paraguayan Heritage 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.