K 280: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Fair Housing Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 280 BY: M. of A. Raga MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Fair Housing Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of important issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Fair Housing Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Fair Housing Month; and WHEREAS, Every April, we come together as a community, a State and a Nation to celebrate the anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act and to recommit to that goal which inspired us in the aftermath of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's assassination in 1968: to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community; and WHEREAS, Fundamentally, fair housing means that every person can live free; this means communities across the State of New York are open and welcoming, free from housing discrimination and hostility; and WHEREAS, This also means that each one of us, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability, has access to neighborhoods of opportunity, where our children can attend quality schools, our environment allows us to be healthy, and economic opportunities and self-sufficiency can grow; and WHEREAS, The law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing, and requires Federal, State, and local governments to proactively dismantle the discriminatory structures that held back people of color and other underserved populations from equitable access to the neighborhoods of their choice; and WHEREAS, Access to quality housing is the foundation for achieving better educational, employment, and health outcomes, as well as one of the most important ways that families build wealth that they can pass along across the generations; and WHEREAS, Today, the Fair Housing Act continues to serve as a powerful statement about who we are as a people: the values of equality, equity, and dignity that we strive to uphold, and the places where we still have work to do to fulfill our full promise as a Nation; and WHEREAS, While there is still much work to be done, the law has truly changed the lives for the better of numerous families and communities over the last 57 years; and WHEREAS, Fair Housing Month is a time to raise awareness of the need for a strong and effective Fair Housing Act to ensure that thoughtless and unnecessary barriers like these do not block the path to opportunity; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Fair Housing Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.