Senate Bill S874

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S874

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general construction law, in relation to the desig-
nation of Harriet Tubman day

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this legislation is to establish a public holiday that
commemorates Harriet Tubman, her life achievements, and her pivotal role
in the "Underground Railroad". The legislation will designate the tenth
of March of each year, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This legislation will make the tenth of March of each year a public
holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot, who faithfully
served her country and liberated her people. Her tireless efforts to
attain freedom for those enslaved, and her dedication to stopping the
inhumane practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated. It is
only fitting to pay tribute to an American heroine, who sacrificed
everything for the wellbeing of her people and country. The creation of
a state holiday, that recognizes the lifetime achievements and the
historical legacy established by Harriet Tubman, throughout New York
State is befitting. Harriet Ross Tubman, the great American abolition-
ist, was born. on the Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1820, on a Plan-
tation in Dorchester County, Maryland.. As in the case of many slaves,
Harriet Tubman was put to work as a field hand at an. early age. Because
of her color and her status as a slave, she was denied the opportunity
to learn to read or write. Nevertheless, Harriet Tubman was able to rise
above the limitations that were placed on her as a slave and as a black
woman.

In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped to the North and settled in Philadelp-
hia. While in Philadelphia, Harriet Tubman met William Still, the Phila-
delphia Stationmaster of the Underground Railroad. It was William Still,
along with the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society, that introduced
Harriet Tubman to the inner workings of the Underground Railroad. The
Underground Railroad was a network of families and people that offered
their assistance, food or shelter to slaves, during their escape to the
north.

One year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a conductor (i.e., a
guide who led escaped slaves to freedom) through the Underground Rail-
road. In 1851, Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to North
Street in St. Catherines Ontario, Canada. This eventually became her
headquarters for the Underground Railroad. In the ensuing years, Harriet
Tubman became one of the most influential conductors. In the mid-1850s,
Harriett Tubman made the acquaintance of United states Senator, Secre-
tary of State, and former New York State Governor William H. Seward and
his wife Frances in Auburn, New York. The Sewards, in 1857, provided a
home for Harriet Tubman in Auburn, New York, which was later sold to
her. This new home was to become her new base of operations for the
Underground Railroad. When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman was able
to liberate several hundreds of her people to freedom, via the Under-
ground Railroad. As the most influential conductor in the Underground
Railroad, Harriet Tubman helped free approximately 300 slaves. Harriet
Tubman was proud to claim that "she never ran her train off the track
and never lost a passenger." When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman
served as a cook in the Union Army in South Carolina, a nurse, a scout
for raiding parties, and a spy behind confederate lines. After her
service to the Union army, Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn, New York
where she lived the remaining years of her life.

In 1903, Harriet Tubman transferred ownership of her property to the
A.M.E. Zion Church. After her death in March 1913, the church developed
and managed her home and adjacent property to sustain her memory.
Harriet Tubman was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York with
full military honors. Currently, the Harriet Tubman home and property
are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, New York. The
site is also part of the National Parks Service Freedom Trail.

Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to the black slave
she was considered to be the "Black Moses" who delivered to them the
"buried promise of freedom". Harriet Tubman, through her actions and
life, embodied the true essence of service, spirit, and strength. It is
estimated that through her service, about 300 slaves were able to attain
their freedom. Because of her spirit, countless slaves were given hope,
and through her strength and conviction, she was compelled to risk her
own freedom so that other slaves could experience freedom. Through the
establishment of a state holiday, this legislation aims to ensure that
the rich historical legacy and life achievements of Harriet Tubman are
recognized and celebrated throughout New York State.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: Referred to Judiciary

2021-22: Referred to Judiciary

2023-24: Referred to Judiciary

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This legislation will take effect on the first of January, next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.