Senate Resolution No. 2052
BY: Senator MYRIE
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 9, 2026, as Sneakers 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 American-made
products 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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 9, 2026, as
Sneakers Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Sneakers Day; and
WHEREAS, National Sneakers Day celebrates sneakers which are shoes
designed for use in sports or for other types of physical exercise but
are often also used as informal shoes for everyday use and called such
names as tennis shoes, kicks, or gym shoes; and
WHEREAS, The origins of sneakers can be dated to the late 18th
century when people wore rubber-soled shoes called plimsolls; and
WHEREAS, In 1892, the U.S. Rubber Company designed more comfortable
rubber sneakers with canvas tops called Keds; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent, used
the term "sneaker" because the rubber sole made the shoe stealthy and
quiet and much easier to "sneak" around; and
WHEREAS, In 1923, an Indiana basketball star named Chuck Taylor
endorsed the shoes, after which came the Chuck Taylor All-Stars, the
best-selling basketball shoes of all time; and
WHEREAS, In 1924, sneakers sold internationally when a German named
Adi Dassler created a sneaker he named after himself, Adidas; and
WHEREAS, Sales of sneakers skyrocketed in 1984 when Michael Jordan
signed a contract to wear Nike shoes called Air Jordans, the most famous
sneakers ever made; and
WHEREAS, With the advent of the internet, sneaker trends from
previous decades were accelerated due to the invention of smartphones;
globalization and the advancement of new technologies have also
increased the worldwide spread of sneaker popularity with social media
as a communication tool; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, the global sneaker market was valued at
approximately $79 billion USD and is predicted to reach $120 billion USD
in 2026; and
WHEREAS, Sneakers were born in the United States and have
continually evolved throughout the last 134 years since the introduction
of Keds in 1892; sneakers are designed for sports and physical exercise
which is important for overall wellness; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the health benefits, sneakers epitomize
cultural trends such as Converse with rock 'n roll and Puma, Nike, and
Adidas with hip-hop; today, collectors of sneakers are known as
"sneakerheads"; and
WHEREAS, Sneakers are comfortable, and many people love to wear them
to any occasion, whether they are just relaxing at home, playing sports,
going to school, or even working; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 9, 2026, as
Sneakers Day 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.
