Senate Resolution No. 1477

BY: Senator HAMILTON

COMMENDING the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association upon the occasion of hosting the 50th
Anniversary of its Annual West Indian Labor Day
Carnival and Parade on September 4, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the West
Indian American Day Carnival Association upon the occasion of hosting
the 50th Anniversary of its Annual West Indian Labor Day Carnival and
Parade; this year's theme is "From a Dream to a Legacy"; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the West Indian
American Day Carnival and Parade; the centerpiece of the Carnival is the
extraordinary colorful Parade consisting of many vibrant floats,
exquisite costumes, a cacophony of music, Caribbean entertainment stars,
and various food vendors selling West Indian delicacies; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the West Indian American Day
Carnival Association (WIADCA) promotes, develops and celebrates the West
Indian/Caribbean culture, arts history and tradition; and

WHEREAS, The History of Carnival is as colorful as the present day
festival; its roots lie in the festivities of the original civilization
in Ancient Kemet (Egypt); the many tribes that gathered around the Nile
Delta practiced similar ceremonies to praise their deities; these tribes
were nomads and settled near and far; many Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa tribes
settled in the western region of Africa, and some of them ended up in
the Caribbean in the 1700s and 1800s because of slavery; and

WHEREAS, During this early period, the French, Spanish and British
aristocracy held grand and lavish costume balls, feasts and small street
parades; slaves were not permitted to participate; after the abolishment
of slavery, thousands of freed slaves celebrated by mimicking the dress
and behavior of the European people; the character of Carnival changed,
becoming more colorful and spectacular with magnificent and elaborately
designed costumes; and

WHEREAS, The people of the Caribbean have exported their carnival
traditions to Canada, England, and several United States cities;
however, the New York version of this celebration far exceeds any
similar celebration in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jessie Waddle and some of her West Indian friends
started the Carnival in Harlem in the 1920s by staging costume parties
in large enclosed places such as the Savoy, Renaissance and Audubon
Ballrooms, due to the cold wintry weather of February; this is the usual
time for the pre-Lenten celebrations held in most countries around the

world; however, because of the very nature of Carnival and the need to
parade in costume to music, indoor confinement did not work; and

WHEREAS, The earliest known Carnival street activity was held during
the 1940s when Ms. Jessie Waddle secured the first street permit for a
parade type event on the streets of Harlem; during the 1960s, another
Trinidadian, Rufus Goring, brought Carnival to Brooklyn; in 1967, Mr.
Goring passed the reins over to Carlos Lezama, who later became
president of WIADCA and who nurtured the organization and carnival
celebrations until 2001, when, due to his ill-health, retired and his
daughter, Yolanda Lezama-Clark was elected president; and

WHEREAS, The "Labor Day Carnival Parade" has grown over the years
from thousands of participants and tourists to over 3.5 million people
in attendance since the mid-1990s; the influx of tourists from all over
the world has benefited New York on an economic level, most recognizably
with large corporations, small businesses and the tourist/service
industry; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend cultural events which symbolize the historical, social and
cultural development of this great State and embody the spirit of the
principles upon which this Nation was founded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the West Indian American Day Carnival Association upon the
occasion of hosting the 50th Anniversary of its Annual West Indian Labor
Day Carnival and Parade on September 4, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.