J 821: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2025, as Star Wars Day in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 821 BY: Senator GIANARIS MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2025, as Star Wars Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, Star Wars, created by George Lucas, is a cultural phenomenon with millions of fans worldwide; and WHEREAS, "May The Force Be With You" is an iconic phrase from the Star Wars franchises; and WHEREAS, According to StarWars.com, the earliest uses of the phrase "May the Fourth Be With You" as a reference To "May The Force Be With You" can be traced back to 1978, one year after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope; and WHEREAS, By 1978, Star Wars was firmly established within American popular culture and "May the Fourth Be With You" became "like a handshake," as Professor Leo Braudy would later comment in the documentary, Empire of Dreams; and WHEREAS, The first recorded use of the phrase "May the Fourth Be With You" occurred on May 4, 1979, when Britain's new prime minister, Margaret Thatcher assumed office and a full-page newspaper ad in The London Evening News declared: "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!"; coincidentally, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was in production at nearby Elstree Studios at the same time, and issues of the Evening News could have appeared in Lucasfilm's offices; and WHEREAS, Another lesser-known instance came from within Lucasfilm in 1982; Randy Thom, who today is the director of sound design at Skywalker Sound and has been with the company for over 40 years, worked as a location sound recordist on Revenge of the Jedi - its title was later changed to Return of the Jedi and at the time of production it was known under the codename Blue Harvest; and WHEREAS, Mr. Thom joined the production unit in northern California as they shot in the Redwood National and State Parks, which doubled for the forest moon of Endor; on May 4, 1982, Thom recalled thinking of the pun on his own when contemplating the date; he shared it with others on the set, and would continue to write an annual message to the company declaring "May the Fourth Be With You" for years to come; and WHEREAS, As a result of grassroots fans expanding upon these observations year after year, the fourth day of May has universally come to be known as Star Wars Day; and WHEREAS, Star Wars Day observances have grown more frequent and prominent, including the viewing of Star Wars aboard the International Space Station on May 4, 2015, by astronauts Scott Kelly - twin brother of fellow astronaut and United States Senator Mark Kelly - and Mikhail Kornienko; and WHEREAS, New York is home to some of largest events and celebrations of science fiction and fantasy such as New York Comic Con, held every October in New York City; and WHEREAS, Numerous Star Wars-related appearances and announcements occur annually at New York's Comic Con celebration; and WHEREAS, Star Wars fans around the world have come to celebrate May 4th as Star Wars Day with parties, get-togethers and other special events and declarations of "May the Fourth Be With You"; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2025, as Star Wars Day in the State of New York, recognizing the profound positive impact of Star Wars on New Yorkers and people around the world.