LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 24, 2014, as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, Attendant to that shared patrimony of culture and endeavor
which so clearly identifies the heritage of Americans of French-Canadian
ancestry, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 24, 2014, as Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud of its unyielding
effort to sustain and to yet strengthen that endowment of mutual trust
and unparalleled cooperation which is the shared history of the United
States and the beloved nation of Canada; and
WHEREAS, With commensurate regard for those thousands of Americans of
French-Canadian ancestry residing in the State of New York, it is the
sense of this Legislative Body to urge the proclamation of Saint-Jean-
Baptiste Day on June 24, 2014, as a day specifically commemorating that
patrimony of religious and cultural identification which is the living
endowment of the French-Canadian people; and
WHEREAS, The French have celebrated the Feast Day of La Saint-Jean-
Baptiste (St. John the Baptist Day) since the early days of French
settlement in North America, and have recognized this day as their
national holiday; and
WHEREAS, The French-Canadian people have so manifestly contributed to
the cause of America's freedom in both war and peace; and
WHEREAS, Quebec and the State of New York have long shared a common
border, a border not of division but of designation, indicating where
one experiment in democracy begins and another continues; and
WHEREAS, The history of the French-Canadian people constitutes a chro-
nology of compelling dimension; it veritably records and catalogues the
adherence to those principles of spirit and endeavor which, taken in
their entirety, that is, in light of French history, proclaim and yet
foster the brotherhood of man; and
WHEREAS, La Federation Franco-Americaine du New York has so assiduous-
ly labored to preserve, to promote and to yet enhance the cultural
Heritage of Americans of French-Canadian ancestry; and
WHEREAS, La Federation Franco-Americaine is the living estuary to an
indomitable heritage, to a heritage distinguished by an unquenchable
yearning for freedom, from its broad basin of promulgation and inquiry
emanate the current of tradition and the irrepressible tide of freedom;
and
WHEREAS, Through its unyielding commitment to Americans of French-Ca-
nadian extraction, to those whose dream most clearly defines, in the
immediacy and clarity of its goals, the full promise of our American
experience, La Federation Franco-Americaine has given renewed and imper-
ishable hope to so many; and
WHEREAS, French-Canadians have played an important part in the history
of New York State for over 400 years, since the discovery of Lake George
- originally named Lac du Saint-Sacrement - by Father Isaac Jogues, the
discovery of Niagara Falls by La Salle, and the exploration of the
Niagara region by Joliet and Hennepin; the French presence in New York
State is reflected not only by the many French place-names such as Ausa-
ble Forks, Chazy, Champlain, Rouses Point, Chautauqua County, among
others, but in more than 200,000 French patronyms of the citizens of New
York State; and
WHEREAS, The French fought beside New Yorkers in the American Revo-
lution under Brigadier General Moses Hazen, where over 2,000 of them

served in the Civil War and many served in every other major conflict in
which New Yorkers have been called to serve; and
WHEREAS, The thousands of French-Canadian immigrants coming to New
York between 1850 and 1920 have been key participants in the industrial
revolution that ensured the economic development of this Empire State;
in due time, these immigrants became American citizens and eventually
were known as "Franco-Americans" because of their new and definite poli-
tical allegiance to the United States of America, making many economic,
civic, educational and religious contributions to New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the Americans
of French-Canadian ancestry have so manifestly contributed to the pres-
ervation, enhancement and effectuation of that Patrimony of Freedom
which is our American Heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 24, 2014, as
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and Bernard Ouimet, President, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day Committee
of La Federation Franco-Americaine du New York.