Senate Resolution No. 2244
BY: Senator STAVISKY
HONORING the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg
Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at
Queensborough Community College, and Korean American
Civic Empowerment for their devoted work on behalf
of Comfort Women
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and
Archives at Queensborough Community College, and Korean American Civic
Empowerment for their devoted work on behalf of Comfort Women; and
WHEREAS, In 1937, over 200,000 teenage girls were forced into sexual
slavery by the invading Japanese armies; these young women, referred to
as Comfort Women, were sent throughout Asia accompanying these soldiers;
and
WHEREAS, At the end of World War II, nearly 100,000 had perished;
these survivors sought justice, but were met with stern statements of
denial; while these Comfort Women survivors are dwindling, they still
seek recognition and justice for what was perpetrated against them; and
WHEREAS, To assist them in their quest for justice, the Harriet and
Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center's Asian Internship Justice Program
familiarizes its students with the injustices brought upon the Asian
population during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Nine students at Queensborough Community College's Harriet
and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives completed
their Asian Internship Project which consisted of interviews of actual
"Comfort Women" survivors in Korea via Skype; and
WHEREAS, The nine 2013 Student Interns were: Zeba Natasha Babar,
Alexander Crombez, Ashley Gee, Lauren Hussey, Daniella Lampone, Lee Kwan
Li, Weiwu Li, Jialong Xie, and Ming Ming Zhou; and
WHEREAS, The goal of the Members of Korean American Civic
Empowerment (KACE), the Asian Social Justice Interns of the Kupferberg
Holocaust Center at Queensborough Community College, and the residents
of this great Empire State is to seek justice for the Korean Comfort
Women; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. Diane B. Call, President of
Queensborough Community College and Dr. Arthur Flug, Executive Director
of the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and
Archives, and Dongchan Kim, President of Korean American Civic
Empowerment, the Asian Social Justice Interns have striven mightily and
successfully in conducting an instructional program that has reminded
the world of the tragedy and of the Comfort Women of Korea; and
WHEREAS, Incorporating the guide words of the Holocaust, Never
Forget, these interns have emerged not only as students knowledgeable of
this horrific issue that has plagued these survivors for more than seven
decades, but have emerged as spokespersons for social justice for all
members of their generation; and
WHEREAS, The outstanding group of Queensborough Community College
students embodying the diverse cultural diversity of the school's more
than 150 nationalities speaking 62 distinct languages bound together
with a fervent commitment for social justice for the members of their
generation and volunteered to study the issue of the Comfort Women, and
in doing so, have spread much needed insight and a distinct call for
justice far beyond the college campus; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when
students and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and
Archives at Queensborough Community College, and Korean American Civic
Empowerment for their devoted work on behalf of Comfort Women; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource
Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College, Korean American
Civic Empowerment, and the nine aforementioned student interns.