Assembly Resolution No. 16

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
January 17, 2017, as a Day of Racial Healing in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Day of Racial Healing

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues
that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; 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 Tuesday, January 17,
2017, as a Day of Racial Healing in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Day of Racial Healing; and

WHEREAS, December 5-8, 2016, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation hosted a
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) summit in an effort to
share ideas on ways to help embrace racial healing and uproot the
unconscious and conscious beliefs in racial hierarchy; the idea for a
National Day of Racial Healing was generated from the collaborative work
at the summit; and

WHEREAS, The National Day of Racial Healing is an effort to advance
racial healing in communities across the country to create an
environment where all children can thrive; and

WHEREAS, January 17, 2017, will kick off a year-long effort to bring
healing to the United States, to build bridges, and to ensure a more
perfect union and oneness within our great Nation; and

WHEREAS, Each and every New Yorker seeks peace, stability, and a
better quality of life for their families; this Legislative Body is
reaching out to encourage all communities, organizations, and
individuals to select a unique manner in which to acknowledge the Day of
Racial Healing; and

WHEREAS, Many constructive ideas were generated from those who
attended the summit on valuable ways to acknowledge the Day of Racial
Healing, such as: facilitate conversations with students; connect with
local Head Start programs and local PTAs; plan a social media strategy
to reach youth; offer healing circles in classrooms; engage in social
media campaigns which invite students to share 30 second videos with
their own stories; and activate your network by reaching out to everyone
you know; and

WHEREAS, As a State and a Nation, we must come together to heal,
engaging representatives from all racial, ethnic, religious, and
identity groups in genuine efforts to increase understanding,
communication, caring and respect for one another; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative to safeguard our children throughout this
great Empire State, and to offer them a kind environment with the
promise of a future of safety and well-being; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 17, 2017, as a
Day of Racial Healing in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Day of Racial Healing; 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.