K 263: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 263 BY: M. of A. Sayegh MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Arab American Heritage Month; and WHEREAS, For more than a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to every aspect of American society in medicine, law, business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture; and WHEREAS, Since migrating to America, people of Arab descent have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends while also setting fine examples of model citizens and public servants; and WHEREAS, Arab Americans have brought with them to America their resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed which have added strength to our democracy; and WHEREAS, Writer Ameen Rihani's 1911 masterpiece, "The Book of Khalid," the first Arab American novel, is an important record of Arab immigration to the community of "Little Syria" in Lower Manhattan and is a powerful example of the potential of the United States to strengthen ties with the Arab world; and WHEREAS, Arab American poet Kahlil Gibran's masterpiece, "The Prophet," was a transformative piece of literature, with over 100 translations, making it one of the most translated books in history; it discusses topics of the human condition in the most eloquent of ways by highlighting inclusion and understanding of all peoples; and WHEREAS, The first Arabic speaker to come to North America, Zammouri, arrived as an enslaved person from Morocco in 1528 and was an important explorer of the present-day American Southwest; and WHEREAS, World fairs were one of many ways some Americans of Arab descent came to visit the United States from the Arab world and helped grow New York State by establishing businesses both in the State and in the Nation; and WHEREAS, The Arab American Institute estimates there are roughly 3,700,000 Arab Americans living in the United States, including more than 200,000 in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, According to Census Bureau data, Arabic is one of the fastest-growing languages in the United States; and WHEREAS, There is a need for public education, awareness, and policies which are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Arab American in all aspects of American society, including discourse and policy; and WHEREAS, The incredible contributions and heritage of Arab Americans have helped us build a better Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, the student body, faculty, and staff of the Kahlil Gibran School in Yonkers, New York, the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C., and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C.