Senate Resolution No. 1161

BY: Senator BROUK

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 28, 2023, as Chucks-N-Pearls Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to
the success and progress of society in the course of their life's work;
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 October 28, 2023, as
Chucks-N-Pearls Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Chucks-N-Pearls Day; and

WHEREAS, Founded by LaTanga Raney in 2021, Chucks-N-Pearls Day is
celebrated on October 28 every year to honor the simple but unique
dressing style of Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President of the
United States, who is known for wearing converse sneakers and a pearl
necklace to numerous notable events; including her first appearance with
President Joe Biden on a high school stage in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Vice President Kamala Harris' trademark pearls are an
emblem of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) which was founded on the
campus of her Alma Mater Howard University in Washington DC in 1908 and
is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American
college-educated women; and

WHEREAS, AKA founders and incorporators are referred to as the
Twenty Pearls, pearls have long been the symbol of the sorority, and
every new member is given a badge with 20 pearls; and

WHEREAS, Kamala Harris has dedicated her career to public service
and is the epitome of the mission of the AKA, particularly to be of
service to all mankind; and

WHEREAS, Kamala Harris has become a symbol in her own right, as the
nation's first Black woman and first South Asian Vice president, she
inspires women of all ages to see themselves in her converse sneakers
and pearls, an inspiration that they can overcome the challenges of
sexism and racism when striving for their goals; and

WHEREAS, Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, to a Jamaican
father, Donald J. Harris, and an Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan; in
2014, she married Doug Emhoff who today, is proud to be known as the
Second Gentleman of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her historic role as Vice President of the United
States, Kamala Harris served as the first female Attorney General of
California from 2011-2017, followed by a term as Senator representing
California from 2017-2021; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and
celebrate individuals of historic significance who add vitality,
sensitivity, understanding and inspiration to the diversity and values
of the people of this great Empire State and to the United States as a
whole; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 28, 2023, as
Chucks-N-Pearls Day in the State of New York; 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 Honorable Kamala Harris.