Senate Resolution No. 118

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
December 2, 2023, as the Day for the Abolition of
Slavery in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious 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 December 2, 2023, as the
Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of International Day for the Abolition
of Slavery; and

WHEREAS, The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks
the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the
Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others on December 2, 1949; and

WHEREAS, The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms
of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the
worst forms of child labor, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment
of children for use in armed conflict; and

WHEREAS, Not merely a historical relic, slavery exists all over the
world; according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), more
than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery; although
modern slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term;
essentially, it refers to situations of exploitation that a person
cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion,
deception, and/or abuse of power; and

WHEREAS, In addition, more than 150 million children are subject to
child labor, accounting for almost one in 10 children around the world;
and

WHEREAS, ILO has adopted a new legally binding Protocol designed to
strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labor, which entered into
force in November of 2016; journalists have a voice that many workers do
not; they can shine a light on abusive practices and the denial of
fundamental human and labor rights; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 40.3 million people are in modern slavery,
including 24.9 in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage;
there are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the
world; one in four victims of modern slavery are children; and

WHEREAS, Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced
labor, accounting for 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex
industry, and 58 percent in other sectors; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate slavery and human
trafficking; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2023, as the
Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of International Day for the Abolition
of Slavery; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.