Senate Resolution No. 2896
BY: Senator THOMAS
COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
American Civil Liberties Union
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
patriotic organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the
welfare of the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union,
to be celebrated at their Centennial Gala on March 31, 2020, in New York
City; and
WHEREAS, The American Civil Liberties Union, commonly referred to as
the ACLU, was founded in 1920 with the stated mission to defend and
preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person
in this country by the laws and constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Upon its founding, the organization made reaching people
who were historically denied constitutional protections a priority; the
ACLU has promoted the rights of immigrants, LGBTQ citizens, union
organizers, women, and people of color; and
WHEREAS, The ACLU has been instrumental in many historical and
impactful events, such as winning workers the right to organize in 1939,
protecting Japanese-Americans during the internment camp period in World
War II, and facilitating the expansion of civil rights by assisting the
NAACP in eliminating race-based discrimination; the ACLU has also
assisted in promoting Native American rights and the rights of religious
people; and
WHEREAS, The ACLU is known for defending the rights of controversial
groups, showing Americans and New Yorkers they will defend the rights of
all people, regardless of how they use those rights; this vital
organization truly embodies the American commitment to freedom of
speech, embodied in the quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "I disapprove of
what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"; and
WHEREAS, Today, the ACLU is continuing its century-long work with a
plethora of active cases relating to the rights of immigrants, the LGBTQ
population, individuals with disabilities and the rights of prisoners;
and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of President Susan N. Herman, the
ACLU steadfastly protects Americans' civil liberties and rights, and has
chapters in every state with a total membership of 1.84 million people;
and
WHEREAS, The New York Civil Liberties Union, commonly known as
NYCLU, founded in 1951 with more than 160,000 members, has also been
impactful in the areas of civil rights and liberties; NYCLU, under the
luminous direction of President Robin Willner, works to protect New
Yorkers' privacy, their due process rights, and their rights to be
treated equally under the law; and
WHEREAS, NYCLU is led by President Robin Willner, who has had a long
and prosperous career of service to others in the non-profit setting, in
government, and in the charitable departments of corporations; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which serve
to bring people together for the united purpose of actively pursuing
improvements in their communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Susan N. Herman, President of the American Civil
Liberties Union, and Robin Willner, President of the New York Civil
Liberties Union.
