Assembly Resolution No. 263
BY: M. of A. Sayegh
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the
State of New York
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Arab American Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, For more than a century, Arab Americans have been making
valuable contributions to every aspect of American society in medicine,
law, business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture;
and
WHEREAS, Since migrating to America, people of Arab descent have
shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends
while also setting fine examples of model citizens and public servants;
and
WHEREAS, Arab Americans have brought with them to America their
resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and
diversity in faith and creed which have added strength to our democracy;
and
WHEREAS, Writer Ameen Rihani's 1911 masterpiece, "The Book of
Khalid," the first Arab American novel, is an important record of Arab
immigration to the community of "Little Syria" in Lower Manhattan and is
a powerful example of the potential of the United States to strengthen
ties with the Arab world; and
WHEREAS, Arab American poet Kahlil Gibran's masterpiece, "The
Prophet," was a transformative piece of literature, with over 100
translations, making it one of the most translated books in history; it
discusses topics of the human condition in the most eloquent of ways by
highlighting inclusion and understanding of all peoples; and
WHEREAS, The first Arabic speaker to come to North America,
Zammouri, arrived as an enslaved person from Morocco in 1528 and was an
important explorer of the present-day American Southwest; and
WHEREAS, World fairs were one of many ways some Americans of Arab
descent came to visit the United States from the Arab world and helped
grow New York State by establishing businesses both in the State and in
the Nation; and
WHEREAS, The Arab American Institute estimates there are roughly
3,700,000 Arab Americans living in the United States, including more
than 200,000 in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, According to Census Bureau data, Arabic is one of the
fastest-growing languages in the United States; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for public education, awareness, and
policies which are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or
addressing the impacts of being Arab American in all aspects of American
society, including discourse and policy; and
WHEREAS, The incredible contributions and heritage of Arab Americans
have helped us build a better Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab
American Heritage Month 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, the student body, faculty, and staff of the Kahlil Gibran School
in Yonkers, New York, the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C.,
and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C.
