K 460: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 21, 2025, as Day of Peace in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 460 BY: M. of A. Buttenschon MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 21, 2025, as Day of Peace in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize official days which exemplify the spirit and struggle of peoples throughout the world to achieve independence and live in peace and freedom; 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 September 21, 2025, as Day of Peace in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day of Peace; and WHEREAS, The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 and 2001 by the United Nations (UN) as an annual observance of global non-violence and ceasefire; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, people in all parts of the world honor peace in various ways on the 21st of September each year; this has been declared by the General Assembly as a day dedicated to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people; and WHEREAS, In 2007, in the company of the UN Messengers of Peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations headquarters in New York City; on September 21st, he called for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world at local noon time; and WHEREAS, That same year, the United Nations Security Council deployed a record number of peacekeepers to 19 peace operations worldwide; more than 100,000 blue berets and civilian workers worked to create and keep peace in the region; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Secretary-General arranged four high-level meetings at UN Headquarters to unite world leaders and those from conflict areas to address some of the most serious challenges today in peace and security, including the situation in Afghanistan, Darfur, Iraq and the Middle East; and WHEREAS, On June 13, 2009, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a multiplatform campaign under the slogan WMD, We Must Disarm, to mark the 100-day countdown which lead to the International Day of Peace on September 21st; and WHEREAS, The United Nations continues to raise awareness of the risks and costs of nuclear weapons, and why nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are so relevant; UN Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas, who has supported the cause of disarmament since 1998, and American actor Rainn Wilson, joined the Secretary-General in this vital initiative; and WHEREAS, August 12, 2010, was declared by the UN General Assembly as International Year of Youth: Dialog and Mutual Understanding, a UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) campaign established to promote the values of respect for human rights and unity through generations, communities, religions and civilizations; these are the key elements which strengthen the foundations sustainable peace; and WHEREAS, International Day of Peace is a day for individuals, groups and organizations around the world to engage in activities that contribute to ceasefires, end conflict, bridge cultural divides and create tolerance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 21, 2025, as Day of Peace 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.