LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2016 as Russian American History Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, The history and participation of people of Russian heritage in
the American experience will be greatly enhanced and appreciated through
the observation of April 2016 as Russian American History Month in the
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Individuals of Russian heritage such as Ivan Turchaninov,
Union Army Brigadier General; Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the helicopter
and the multi-engine airplane; Vladimir Zworykin, a Russian American
inventor, engineer, and pioneer of television technology; composers
Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky; Yul Bryner and Kirk Douglas,
Hollywood legends; Serge Brin, co-founder and head of the Google Corpo-
ration; Irving Berlin, author of the song "God Bless America," and many
others have made important contributions to the United States and the
world; and
WHEREAS, The recognition of such significant contributions will
enhance the opportunities for Russian American youth to take pride in
their forebears and to identify with them as role models; and
WHEREAS, Colored by shadows of the Cold War, Americans sometimes hold
perceptions of Russian Americans which obscure the fact that there has
never been a war between Russia and the United States; in fact our
nations were allies during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Better knowledge of the role of Russian Americans in the
history of the United States and of relations between Russia and America
can lead to more productive opportunities for all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016 as Russian
American History Month in the State of New York and to urge that during
this month there be active efforts to examine the subject in public
schools, colleges, universities and other venues and that events and
activities supporting interest and attention to Russian American history
and how Russian Americans have retained their cultural identity while
contributing significantly to the enrichment of New York State and
America be encouraged; 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 to Dr. Olga Zatsepina, Chair of the Coalition in Support of
Russian American History Month, and President of the RACH-C, (Russian
American Cultural Heritage Center, Inc.); Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador
of the Russian Federation to the United States; The Honorable Igor L.
Golubovsky, Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York; Bishop
John of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the
United States of America; Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and
New York, First Heirarch of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of
Russia; Dr. Cyril Geacintov, President of the Russian Nobility Associ-
ation in America; Tatiana Deptola, President of the New Russia Cultural
Center in Albany; and to other Members of the Coalition.