Assembly Resolution No. 772
BY: M. of A. Buttenschon
RECOGNIZING the City of Utica, New York upon the
occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Puerto Rico
Constitution Day Celebration on July 19, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
significant days of historical importance; Puerto Rico Constitution Day
is one such instance; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize the city of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its
3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on Saturday, July
19, 2025, at the Parkway Recreation Center; and
WHEREAS, Constitution Day is celebrated each year on July 25th in
Puerto Rico, commemorating the signing of the Constitution into law in
1952 by Governor Luis Munoz Marin; and
WHEREAS, Until the signing of the Constitution, July 25th had been a
holiday in Puerto Rico known as "Occupation Day" to commemorate the
arrival of United States military forces on July 25, 1898, in an area of
the municipality of Yauco that in the early 20th century would become
the separate municipality of Guanica; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico recognizes Constitution Day as a full state
holiday and holds commemorative ceremonies each year on this important
day; and
WHEREAS, The most recent ceremony was held at the Puerto Rico
Department of State headquarters building, the "Edificio de la Real
Intendencia," in Old San Juan with the mayor of Yauco, Abel Nazario, as
the keynote speaker, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Edgardo Rivera
Garcia in charge of the reading of the Constitution's Preamble; and
WHEREAS, As per the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
estimates, 14.57% of Utica population is Hispanic. Among the Hispanic
population in Utica, regardless of the race, the largest group is of
Puerto Rican origin, with a population of 4,920 (52.40% of the total
Hispanic population); accordingly, it is of utmost importance for the
City of Utica and this Legislative Body to highlight the plentiful
contributions of these citizens while acknowledging their storied pasts;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to acknowledge various
cultures of people who add to the overall diversity of our State, and,
on this occasion, we take the opportunity to recognize the contributions
made by the Puerto Rican community and extend best wishes to all of its
members as they hold appropriate ceremonies to commemorate this historic
milestone; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the City of Utica, New York upon the occasion of hosting its
3rd Annual Puerto Rico Constitution Day Celebration on July 19, 2025;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the City of Utica, New York.
