J 1183: Recognizing the City of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 19, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 1183 BY: Senator GRIFFO RECOGNIZING the City of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 19, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize significant days of historical importance; Puerto Rico Constitution Day is one such instance; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize the city of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Parkway Recreation Center; and WHEREAS, Constitution Day is celebrated each year on July 25th in Puerto Rico, commemorating the signing of the Constitution into law in 1952 by Governor Luis Munoz Marin; and WHEREAS, Until the signing of the Constitution, July 25th had been a holiday in Puerto Rico known as "Occupation Day" to commemorate the arrival of United States military forces on July 25, 1898, in an area of the municipality of Yauco that in the early 20th century would become the separate municipality of Guanica; and WHEREAS, Puerto Rico recognizes Constitution Day as a full state holiday and holds commemorative ceremonies each year on this important day; and WHEREAS, The most recent ceremony was held at the Puerto Rico Department of State headquarters building, the "Edificio de la Real Intendencia," in Old San Juan with the mayor of Yauco, Abel Nazario, as the keynote speaker, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Edgardo Rivera Garcia in charge of the reading of the Constitution's Preamble; and WHEREAS, As per the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, 14.57% of Utica population is Hispanic. Among the Hispanic population in Utica, regardless of the race, the largest group is of Puerto Rican origin, with a population of 4,920 (52.40% of the total Hispanic population); accordingly, it is of utmost importance for the City of Utica and this Legislative Body to highlight the plentiful contributions of these citizens while acknowledging their storied pasts; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to acknowledge various cultures of people who add to the overall diversity of our State, and, on this occasion, we take the opportunity to recognize the contributions made by the Puerto Rican community and extend best wishes to all of its members as they hold appropriate ceremonies to commemorate this historic milestone; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize the City of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 19, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the City of Utica, New York.