Senate Resolution No. 1117

BY: Senator ALCANTARA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 2017, 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 2017, 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; composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor
Stravinsky; Yul Bryner and Kirk Douglas, Hollywood legends; Serge Brin,
co-founder and head of the Google Corporation; 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, 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 2017, 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
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; The Honorable 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; His Eminence
Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York; Bishop John,
Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA; Dr. Olga
Zatsepina, President of RACH-C, (Russian American Cultural Heritage
Center Inc.) and Chair of the Russian American History Month Coalition:
Dr. Cyril Geacintov, President, Russian Nobility Association in America;
and Tatiana Deptola, President of the New Russia Cultural Center,
Albany, New York.