K 728: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 1, 2025, as Vegan Day in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 728 BY: M. of A. Epstein MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 1, 2025, as Vegan Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of 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 November 1, 2025, as Vegan Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Vegan Day; and WHEREAS, World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated by vegans around the world every November 1st; and WHEREAS, The day was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis, then President and Chair of The Vegan Society, the oldest vegan society in the world which was founded in the United Kingdom in 1944; and WHEREAS, The purpose of World Vegan Day is to recognize and champion the vegan lifestyle, which has health, animal welfare, and environmental benefits; and WHEREAS, World Vegan Day is also an opportunity to bring together the vegan community in supporting one another; and WHEREAS, Vegans eat a plant-based diet and avoid all animal foods including meat, fish, shellfish and insects; and WHEREAS, Two in three Americans have stopped or reduced their meat consumption, according to Cambridge University researchers; and WHEREAS, Increasingly, Americans, including New Yorkers are recognizing the appeal of eating vegan alternatives; between 2020 and 2021, sales of vegan foods which are direct replacements for milk and meat have grown; and WHEREAS, World Vegan Day is celebrated around the world as a time to recognize how far the vegan movement has come, reflect on their successes, and to highlight how accessible and beneficial a vegan lifestyle is; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 1, 2025, as Vegan Day 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 and The Vegan Society.