BILL NUMBER: S6658

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the general construction law, in
relation to the designation of Abolition Commemoration day as a public
holiday

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish a public holiday to be known as Abolition Commemoration Day
in New York State, which will be observed annually on the second Monday
of the month of July. The holiday will solemnly remember the abolishment
of slavery in New York State on July 4, 1827, and honor the bravery and
sacrifices of abolitionists of the state - both those known and those
whose names will never be known.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: This bill would amend the General Construction Law to include
Abolition Commemoration Day as a public holiday in New York State.

              

Section 2: Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The United States has a long, complicated, violent, and lucrative histo-
ry in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Our nation, including New York
State, has never fully acknowledged or atoned for the horrors of the
trans-Atlantic slave trade, nor has the State honored those leaders who
fought to abolish slavery with a public holiday. By designating a state-
wide holiday, New York will commemorate the Abolition Act that was
passed by New York State legislators on March 31, 1817, which abolished
slavery in New York State effective July 4, 1827.

While many enslaved Africans were ultimately taken to the southern colo-
nies, New York State was a major importer of slave labor. In 1703, more
than 42 percent of households in New York City had slaves - second
behind Charleston, South Carolina - and slaves made up approximately 20
percent of New York City's population. Throughout the 17th and 18th
centuries, much of the State economy and institutions throughout New
York State, were dependent upon and built on the backs of slave labor.
Enslaved Africans lived their entire lives in captivity, never having
experienced a moment of freedom, from birth to childhood, to adulthood
and finally death. The wounds that were manifested for over 200 hundred
years by oppressive government laws and regulations will never begin to
heal until a meaningful, respectful, and earnest effort is made by the
State of New York to start the healing process and honor those that
fought for the abolishment of slavery.

The American abolitionist movement started as early as the 1600s and was
first led by the Quakers and Mennonites who held a belief that all human
beings were worthy of equality and respect. However, it wasn't until
several decades later that the abolitionist movement started gaining
support in New York State. In New York, there were many voices who
called for the abolishment of slavery, some called for a gradual end
like those of the New York Manumission Society.  While others called for
an immediate end. The literary works produced by abolitionists helped
grow and sustain the antislavery conversation and gain widespread public
support. Abolitionists John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish established the
first African American newspaper in the United States, "Freedom's Jour-
nal," in New York, which was also established during the same year slav-
ery in New York was abolished. Additionally, a number of abolitionist
newspapers were published by African Americans, such as "The Elevator,"
published in Albany, New York by Stephen Myers and backed by Horace
Greely, Garret Smith and other white abolitionists. Steven Myers and his
wife Harriet Johnson also operated the Albany Station of the Under
ground Railroad, which helped fugitive slaves make their way to Canada
and was known as the most-organized section of the Railroad. The great
Frederick Douglass was also well known for his publication, "The North
Star," as well as his famous speeches. Others, like Sojourner Truth used
their voices to advocate nationally for the abolishment of slavery and
to ensure that the contributions and plight of women was included in the
narrative around emancipation. And while New York later came to be known
as a free-state, many abolitionists like Harriet Tubman helped African
slaves escape on the Underground Railroad throughout the country and
specifically in New York State. Tubman and others also used their plat-
forms in New York State to call for the abolishment of slavery through-
out the United States.

There were also countless documented and undocumented uprisings by
enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom and the many unsung
heroes who spoke out against slavery when it was unpopular and dangerous
to do so. For these people, New York State owes a great debt and must
acknowledge their sacrifices that contributed to a more unified and
stronger state. The abolishment of slavery was not the result of one-
person's doing, rather it was a collective movement.  Nothing can remove
the generational damages created as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave
trade. However, a civilized state can do no less than set aside one day
a year to honor the brave abolitionists and atone for having engaged in
the process of maintaining an exploitative, abusive, slavish society for
countless generations.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The first of January next succeeding the date on which this act shall
have become a law.

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S6658A

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the designation of
Abolition Commemoration day as a day of commemoration

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish a public holiday to be known as Abolition Commemoration Day
in New York State, which will be observed annually on the second Monday
of the month of July. The holiday will solemnly remember the abolishment
of slavery in New York State on July 4, 1827, and honor the bravery and
sacrifices of abolitionists of the state - both those known and those
whose names will never be known.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: This bill would amend the General Construction Law to include
Abolition Commemoration Day as a public holiday in New York State.
              

Section 2: Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The United States has a long, complicated, violent, and lucrative histo-
ry in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Our nation, including New York
State, has never fully acknowledged or atoned for the horrors of the
trans-Atlantic slave trade, nor has the State honored those leaders who
fought to abolish slavery with a public holiday. By designating a state-
wide holiday, New York will commemorate the Abolition Act that was
passed by New York State legislators on March 31, 1817, which abolished
slavery in New York State effective July 4, 1827.

While many enslaved Africans were ultimately taken to the southern colo-
nies, New York State was a major importer of slave labor. In 1703, more
than 42 percent of households in New York City had slaves - second
behind Charleston, South Carolina - and slaves made up approximately 20
percent of New York City's population. Throughout the 17th and 18th
centuries, much of the State economy and institutions throughout New
York State, were dependent upon and built on the backs of slave labor.
Enslaved Africans lived their entire lives in captivity, never having
experienced a moment of freedom, from birth to childhood, to adulthood
and finally death. The wounds that were manifested for over 200 hundred
years by oppressive government laws and regulations will never begin to
heal until a meaningful, respectful, and earnest effort is made by the
State of New York to start the healing process and honor those that
fought for the abolishment of slavery.

The American abolitionist movement started as early as the 1600s and was
first led by the Quakers and Mennonites who held a belief that all human
beings were worthy of equality and respect. However, it wasn't until
several decades later that the abolitionist movement started gaining
support in New York State. In New York, there were many voices who
called for the abolishment of slavery, some called for a gradual end
like those of the New York Manumission Society. While others called for
an immediate end. The literary works produced by abolitionists helped
grow and sustain the antislavery conversation and gain widespread public
support. Abolitionists John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish established the
first African American newspaper in the United States, "Freedom's Jour-
nal," in New York, which was also established during the same year slav-
ery in New York was abolished.  Additionally, a number of abolitionist
newspapers were published by African Americans, such as "The Elevator,"
published in Albany, New York by Stephen Myers and backed by Horace
Greely, Garret Smith and other white abolitionists. Steven Myers and his
wife Harriet Johnson also operated the Albany Station of the Under
ground Railroad, which helped fugitive slaves make their way to Canada
and was known as the most-organized section of the Railroad. The great
Frederick Douglass was also well known for his publication, "The North
Star," as well as his famous speeches. Others, like Sojourner Truth used
their voices to advocate nationally for the abolishment of slavery and
to ensure that the contributions and plight of women was included in the
narrative around emancipation. And while New York later came to be known
as a free-state, many abolitionists like Harriet Tubman helped African
slaves escape on the Underground Railroad throughout the country and
specifically in New York State.  Tubman and others also used their plat-
forms in New York State to call for the abolishment of slavery through-
out the United States.

There were also countless documented and undocumented uprisings by
enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom and the many unsung
heroes who spoke out against slavery when it was unpopular and dangerous
to do so. For these people, New York State owes a great debt and must
acknowledge their sacrifices that contributed to a more unified and
stronger state. The abolishment of slavery was not the result of one-
person's doing, rather it was a collective movement.  Nothing can remove
the generational damages created as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave
trade. However, a civilized state can do no less than set aside one day
a year to honor the brave abolitionists and atone for having engaged in
the process of maintaining an exploitative, abusive, slavish society for
countless generations.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:

The first of January next succeeding the date on which this act shall
have become a law.