Senate Resolution No. 2163

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 18, 2017, as Haitian Flag Day in the State of
New York

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 18, 2017, as
Haitian Flag Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, From May 15-18, 1803, the Congress of Arcahaie convened to
unite the command of the revolutionary army under one authority and to
adopt a flag; it was not until May 18, 1803, that flag adoption became
an issue; and

WHEREAS, The flag debate lasted the entire day, with one side
suggesting the slogan "Liberty or Death"; finally the Congress adopted
the blue and red bicolor, which is the flag of Haiti; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Flon had sewn the original flag on the last day
of the Congress of Arcahaie, and the generals swore an oath of "Liberty
or Death" on the flag, which was to lead the slaves to victory and
freedom; and

WHEREAS, The people of Haiti take a great deal of pride in their
nation's flag; after struggling for years to rid their territory of both
slavery and imperialism, Haitian revolutionaries were able to achieve
such goals; and

WHEREAS, There is no greater symbol of their everlasting dedication
to an independent Haiti than the flag which represents their triumphs;
and

WHEREAS, The descendants of these revolutionaries are so proud of
them that students of Haitian backgrounds within the United States dress
with the colors of the flag throughout the week of May 18, celebrating
when the flag was first created; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to urge the
citizens of New York State to join those of Haitian backgrounds as they
rejoice in the accomplishments of their ancestors by memorializing May
18, 2017, as Haitian Flag Day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 18, 2017, as
Haitian Flag Day in the State of New York; 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.