J 183: Recognizing the city of Rome, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 13, 2024

 Senate Resolution No. 183 BY: Senator GRIFFO RECOGNIZING the city of Rome, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 13, 2024 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 Rome, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Bellamy Harbor Park; 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, According to recent statistics, the Puerto Rican community comprises 3.3 % of the City of Rome's total population, which is 33,725 residents; accordingly, it is of utmost importance for the City of Rome 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 Rome, New York upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 13, 2024; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the City of Rome, New York.