Senate Resolution No. 2562

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 25-30, 2017, as Venerable Pierre Toussaint Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, In the course of history, there are individuals of
extraordinary character and spirit who overcome the burdens of
oppression and rise to assist those in need; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 25-30, 2017, as Venerable
Pierre Toussaint Week in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Pierre Toussaint was born a slave on a plantation in Haiti
on June 27, 1766; he died a free man in New York City on June 30, 1853,
at the age of 87; and

WHEREAS, Pierre Toussaint was taken by his owners to New York City
just before the revolt that would turn Haiti into an independent nation;
he was apprenticed to a hairdresser and was, through his own success,
able to secure the freedom of his sister and marry the woman who had
been his owner's housekeeper; and

WHEREAS, Through his tenacity and talents, Pierre Toussaint
supported his impoverished owner, established a credit union for other
Haitian-Americans, funded many philanthropic organizations and, as a
devoted Catholic, raised funds to build a new church, Saint Peter's, and
start an orphanage and school for Black children; and

WHEREAS, The Haitian Memorial Foundation and other organizations
have worked for the canonization of Pierre Toussaint, the second
American saint, after Mother Seton; and

WHEREAS, Pierre Toussaint's legacy of philanthropy remains and he
will be remembered as a Haitian-New Yorker who contributed to the
well-being of his community and beyond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 25-30, 2017, as
Venerable Pierre Toussaint Week 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.