Assembly Resolution No. 246

BY: M. of A. Gunther

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 2017, as Fly Fishing Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, Opening day of fly fishing season in New York State is
April 1, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Fly fishing is a sport enjoyed by adults, youth and
families across this great Empire 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 April 2017, as Fly
Fishing Month in New York State; and

WHEREAS, Interest in the sport has increased with female athletes
now comprising over 35 % of the total number of participants in the
sport; and

WHEREAS, The sport of fly fishing provides necessary therapeutic
exercise for the joint and soft tissue of the female body after a
mastectomy which is promoted by Casting for Recovery, a not-for-profit
promoting physical, emotional and spiritual healing for breast cancer
survivors; and

WHEREAS, The project Healing Waters program offers physical and
emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel
and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying education and outings; and
organizations such as FamilyTyes, the Future Fisherman Foundation, and
the Trout Unlimited First Cast have realized the need to bring children,
and families closer to the environment; and

WHEREAS, The Kaiser Family Foundation's research shows that our kids
spend an average of 44 hours a week with television, computers and video
games, and suffer from what Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the
Woods, has termed "nature-deficit disorder"; and

WHEREAS, New York State Fly Fishing Month is designated and
publicized with the goal to get families moving in the right direction,
to help kids connect to nature and build a foundation which stays
connected into adulthood; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2017, as Fly
Fishing Month 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.