Assembly Resolution No. 635

BY: M. of A. McDonald

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19, 2017, as
Ancestor Appreciation Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to bring recognition to historical
places within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to ensure
that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved and
shared with present generations of citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19, 2017, as
Ancestor Appreciation Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, On June 5, 2005, while digging for a municipal sewer line,
the remains of 13 human bodies were unearthed by workers in Menands, New
York; another set was found in 1998; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, bio-archaeological analysis was completed by the
New York State Museum in Albany, New York, and the analysis determined
that the remains were about 200 years old, and were of African descent
(West/East and Central Africa); and

WHEREAS, Two sets of remains are descendants of women from
Madagascar (off the coast of Southeast Africa); another two sets were of
African descent/Native Americans (Micmac Tribe: Eastern Canada and the
Northeastern corner of the United States) and consisted of six women,
one man, two children and five infants; for 10 years, the remains have
been stored at the New York State Museum; and

WHEREAS, The burial ground was dated between the 1700s or early
1800s; property deed research indicates that the burial ground was part
of a large estate owned by the colonial Schuyler family, some of the
first Dutch settlers in the Albany area; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 18, 2016, the remains were interred with
dignity and respect by the African Burial Ground at Historic St. Agnes
on Founders Hill at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands; in addition, a bronze
plaque was installed, telling the story of these people who lived and
died over 200 years ago; and

WHEREAS, A memorial service was also held at the Schuyler Mansion
located on 32 Catherine Street in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The African Burial Ground at Historic St. Agnes has
incorporated the symbol of the Sankofa sign, which is derived from King
Adinkera of the Akan people of West Africa; the symbolic meaning is "it
is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot"; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for the African Burial Ground at
Historic St. Agnes, and for all of the individuals who have worked to

bring proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition in
the grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19, 2017, as
Ancestor Appreciation 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, and to the African Burial Ground at Historic St. Agnes.