Senate Resolution No. 1023

BY: Senator COMRIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2023, as Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence
Month in the State of New York

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2023, as Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence Month in the State of
New York

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
organizations and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Hip-Hop
Against Gun & Gang Violence Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Hip-Hop Against Gun &
Violence Month; and

WHEREAS, The artform of Hip-Hop has become intrinsic with the
development of sophisticated critiques against social injustice due to
its proximity to youth culture, especially in underserved populations;
and

WHEREAS, Because Hip-Hop, as a medium, exposes the destructiveness
of issues such as gang and gun violence, racism, and police brutality,
it invites each successive generation to take part in the discourse
about how to rise above these issues; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop has provided opportunities for extracurricular
activities, youth counseling, creative outlets, physical fitness,
vocabulary exercises, poetry, analytical thinking, entertainment,
employment, and economic impact, and has become an industry that
generates more than a billion dollars annually; and

WHEREAS, Founded in July 2001 by Charles Fisher, the Hip-Hop Summit
Youth Council (HHSYC) was created to help implement commitments made by
record companies, artists, community leaders and elected officials at
the historic 2001 Hip-Hop Summit at the Hilton Hotel in New York City to
improve youth social, political, and economic conditions in schools,
homes, and communities; and

WHEREAS, Members of the HHSYC diligently work to teach students and
young adults the dire consequences of gun and gang violence and work
with them to find solutions to improve public safety in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, With the power of students, millennials, and young adults,
along with celebrities, social media, film, television, and music, the
agency actively seeks and implements solutions to save young lives in
the U.S. and abroad; and

WHEREAS, As the number one non-profit, social service, hip-hop
organization in the world, they launched a groundbreaking "Call 2
Action" app with "The People's Shark" Daymond John, and Power 105.1, to
sign one million new members to help address three life-threatening
issues facing communities every day, which include Gun & Gang Violence;
Heroin & Opioid Crisis; and Sexual Abuse Against Women; and

WHEREAS, The campaign is held in May to prepare young citizens for a
long, hot violent summer as gun homicides and shootings continue to take
innocent young lives daily. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day is
the unofficial start and end of summer-a period when gun homicides spike
nationwide; and

WHEREAS, After a decade of working in some of the most dangerous
neighborhoods in the nation, HHSYC decided to go from a week-long
campaign to a month-long campaign each year to bring awareness to the
cause; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Hip-Hop
Against Gun & Gang Violence Month in the State of New York Month; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council.