Senate Resolution No. 226

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
November 11-18, 2023, as Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of many 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 November 11-18, 2023, as
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Villanova University hosted the first National
Hunger and Homelessness Week; since then, universities, colleges, high
schools and organizations across the United States host events in their
communities to increase awareness about the daily effects of hunger and
homelessness; and

WHEREAS, This vital initiative week focuses on giving and caring the
week before Thanksgiving, and the observance serves as a reminder that
hunger and homelessness do not stop for the holidays but continue all
year long; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, 43.1 million citizens are living
below the poverty line, one in five of those being children;
circumstantially, just over half a million people have nowhere to sleep
at night; and

WHEREAS, Hunger and Homelessness are grave concerns for the State of
New York; it is essential to eliminate these serious concerns and to
increase public awareness of the extent to which they exist; and

WHEREAS, According to Feeding America, there are more than 2.6
million New Yorkers, or one in eight people, who are considered food
insecure, meaning they do not have enough food to live a healthy life;
and

WHEREAS, For the youngest residents of the State of New York, food
insecurity is more prevalent, affecting one in five children;
furthermore, as of 2018, New York State has an estimated 91,897 citizens
experiencing homelessness on any given day; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is fully committed to bringing
awareness to solving hunger and homelessness in all its communities, as
well as providing necessary resources to residents in need; and

WHEREAS, New York is committed to working with food pantries,
shelters, and other service organizations which need support; these
organizations provide food, secure places to sleep, and other aids to
those who need it the most; and


WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State
and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 11-18, 2023, as
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the State of New York; 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.