Assembly Resolution No. 981
BY: M. of A. Rules (Buttenschon)
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 21, 2020, as Day of Peace in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days which exemplify the spirit and struggle of peoples
throughout the world to achieve independence and live in peace and
freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 21, 2020, as
Day of Peace in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Day of Peace; and
WHEREAS, The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 and
2001 by the United Nations (UN) as an annual observance of global
non-violence and ceasefire; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, people in all parts of the world honor
peace in various ways on the 21st of September each year; this has been
declared by the General Assembly as a day dedicated to commemorating and
strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and
people; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, in the company of the UN Messengers of Peace, UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations
headquarters in New York City; on September 21st, he called for a
24-hour cessation of hostilities, and for a minute of silence to be
observed around the world at local noon time; and
WHEREAS, That same year, the United Nations Security Council
deployed a record number of peacekeepers to 19 peace operations
worldwide; more than 100,000 blue berets and civilian workers worked to
create and keep peace in the region; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Secretary-General arranged four high-level
meetings at UN Headquarters to unite world leaders and those from
conflict areas to address some of the most serious challenges today in
peace and security, including the situation in Afghanistan, Darfur, Iraq
and the Middle East; and
WHEREAS, On June 13, 2009, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a
multiplatform campaign under the slogan WMD, We Must Disarm, to mark the
100-day countdown which lead to the International Day of Peace on
September 21st; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations continues to raise awareness of the
risks and costs of nuclear weapons, and why nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation are so relevant; UN Messenger of Peace Michael
Douglas, who has supported the cause of disarmament since 1998, and
American actor Rainn Wilson, joined the Secretary-General in this vital
initiative; and
WHEREAS, August 12, 2010 was declared by the UN General Assembly as
International Year of Youth: Dialog and Mutual Understanding, a UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) campaign established to
promote the values of respect for human rights and unity through
generations, communities, religions and civilizations; these are the key
elements which strengthen the foundations sustainable peace; and
WHEREAS, International Day of Peace is a day for individuals, groups
and organizations around the world to engage in activities that
contribute to ceasefires, end conflict, bridge cultural divides and
create tolerance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 21, 2020, as
Day of Peace in the State of New York; 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.
