Senate Resolution No. 2809

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 4, 2017 as Pinkster Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention
to those days set aside to enhance the cultural enrichment of the State
of New York and to preserve the heritage of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 4, 2017 as
Pinkster Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Pinkster is a spring festival, taking place in late May or
early June; the name is a variation of the Dutch word Pinksteren,
meaning "Pentecost" and Pinkster in English almost always refers to the
festivals held by African Americans, both free and slave, in the
Northeastern United States, particularly in the early 19th Century; and

WHEREAS, For the African slaves of the Dutch, Pinkster was a time
free from work and a chance to gather and catch up with family and
friends; and

WHEREAS, The African Festival of Pinkster is the oldest celebration
of the original 13 colonies that became the United States of America,
dating back to the celebration of the eleven Angolans taken captive as
indentured slaves to the New Amsterdam Colony in 1626; and

WHEREAS, The African Festival of Pinkster was a major initial step
in the contribution of African-American arts to the culture of American
life through dance, song, poetry and other creative endeavors; and

WHEREAS, The African Festival of Pinkster celebrated the unity of
the early African community with the election of its King and
celebrations around its burial grounds in the Commons of Manhattan,
Brooklyn, Pinkster Hill in Albany, and other regions in Vermont, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware; and

WHEREAS, A derivative of Pinkster, Election-day, where the African
American community elected their kings and governors, in the states of
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts continued
into the antebellum period; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York has no memorial to Pinkster Hill in
Albany or the Commons in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, in its official recognition of the
African Festival of Pinkster, renews its connection to the rich cultural
traditions of its ancient past; and

WHEREAS, Events such as The African Festival of Pinkster, which
celebrates diversity and peace, contribute to fulfilling our Nation's

great legacy of equality and opportunity for all, and profoundly enhance
our shared commitment to freedom and justice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 4, 2017 as
Pinkster Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.