Senate Resolution No. 622
BY: Senator GOUNARDES
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
recognize April 20, 2021, in honor of the 244th
Anniversary of the adoption of the first New York
State Constitution
WHEREAS, A Convention of Representatives of the State of New York
first gathered on Sunday evening, July 10, 1776, in White Plains, New
York, to draft a new State Constitution declaring independence from the
Kingdom of England and creating constitutional laws and to have this
Constitution replace the Colonial Charter, which was under authority
from the Monarch of the Kingdom of England; and
WHEREAS, The Convention was forced into repeated adjournments and
changes of location throughout the winter caused by the threat of a
British occupation and the British Army invasion of Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, On April 20, 1777, the Convention successfully terminated
its labors and adopted the first New York Constitution, creating a
democratic and free independent State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The Constitution, as the State's foundational document,
defines the rights and privilege afforded to the citizens of the State;
and
WHEREAS, Over 244 years, the State has adopted five Constitutions
and many additional Amendments to reflect the evolving societal
standards of decency, thus redefining the role of government and
creating a more expansive and inclusive understanding of the rights and
privileges protected by the Constitution, and to whom such rights and
privileges are afforded; and
WHEREAS, It is recognized that the Constitution is vitally important
to the functioning of our State government and protection of our State's
citizens; and
WHEREAS, It is further recognized that educating our State's
citizens and residents about the Constitution is equally vitally
important; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize April 20, 2021, in
honor of the 244th Anniversary of the adoption of the first New York
State Constitution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.
