Assembly Resolution No. 179
BY: M. of A. Meeks
RECOGNIZING Monday, March 10, 2025, as Harriet
Tubman Day
WHEREAS, Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot who
faithfully served her country and liberated her people; her tireless
efforts to attain freedom for those enslaved and her dedication to stop
the inhuman practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated; it
is only fitting to pay tribute to an American heroine who sacrificed
everything for the well-being of her people and country; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2003, legislation to make March 10th a Day of
Commemoration was signed into law; March 10th recognizes the lifetime
achievements and the historical legacy established by Harriet Tubman and
her many accomplishments throughout the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Harriet Ross Tubman, the great American abolitionist, was
born on a plantation in Dorchester County, Maryland, circa 1820; as was
the case of many slaves, she was put to work as a field hand at an early
age; and
WHEREAS, Because of her color and her status as a slave, Harriet
Tubman was denied the opportunity to learn to read or write;
nevertheless, she was able to rise above the limitations which were
placed on her as a slave and as a Black woman; and
WHEREAS, In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped to the northern region of
the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; while in
Philadelphia, she met William Still, the Philadelphia Stationmaster of
the "Underground Railroad"; and
WHEREAS, William Still and the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society
(PAS) introduced Harriet Tubman to the inner workshops of the
Underground Railroad; and
WHEREAS, The Underground Railroad was a network of individuals and
families who offered assistance, food, or shelter to slaves during their
escape to the North; one year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a
conductor (a guide who led escaped slaves to freedom) of the Underground
Railroad; and
WHEREAS, In 1851, Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to
North Street in the City of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, which
eventually became her headquarters for the Underground Railroad; in the
ensuing years, she became one of the most influential conductors; and
WHEREAS, In the mid-1850s, Harriet Tubman made the acquaintance of
United States Senator, Secretary of State, and former New York Governor,
William H. Seward, and his wife, Frances, in Auburn, New York; in 1857,
the Sewards provided a home for her in Auburn which was sold to her
later; and
WHEREAS, This home would become the new base of operations for the
Underground Railroad; when the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman was able
to liberate hundreds of her people to freedom through this efficient
network; she was proud to claim that she never ran her train off the
track and never lost a passenger; and
WHEREAS, During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman served in the Union
Army in South Carolina, first as a cook and nurse, and later, as a scout
for raiding parties and a spy behind Confederate lines; after her
service to the Union Army, she returned to Auburn, New York, where she
lived the remaining years of her life; in 1903, she transferred
ownership of her property to the A.M.E. Zion Church; and
WHEREAS, After Harriet Tubman's death on March 10, 1913, the church
developed and managed her home and adjacent property in order to sustain
her memory; she was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York,
with full military honors; currently, the Harriet Tubman home and
property are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, and
the site is also part of the National Park Service Freedom Trail; and
WHEREAS, Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to the
Black slaves, she was considered to be the "Black Moses" who delivered
the buried promise of freedom to them; through her actions and life, she
embodied the true essence of service, spirit, and strength; because of
her spirit, strength, and conviction, countless slaves were given hope;
she was compelled to risk her own freedom so that others could
experience freedom; and
WHEREAS, The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is located in
Auburn, New York; it consists of a group of properties, including the
Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, the Harriet Tubman residence, and the
Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and parsonage; and
WHEREAS, With the establishment of this Day of Commemoration, the
rich historical legacy and life achievements of Harriet Tubman are
recognized and celebrated in the State of New York annually; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize Monday, March 10, 2025, as Harriet Tubman Day.
