Senate Resolution No. 233

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
8:30pm - 9:30pm on March 25, 2023, as Earth Hour in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to increase public
awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of this great
Empire State, as well as recognize the role all citizens have in
protecting the environment and the quality of life within New York; 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 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM on
Saturday, March 25, 2023, as Earth Hour in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of International Earth Hour; and

WHEREAS, Created by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Sydney,
Australia, in 2007, Earth Hour is observed annually on the last Saturday
of March to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to turn
off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30
p.m, as a symbol of commitment to the planet; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, millions of people at home and almost 18,000
landmarks and monuments across over 190 countries and territories
switched off their lights to promote awareness and conversation
concerning issues of climate change, habitat loss and natural resource
conservation; and

WHEREAS, New York State should once again take its place among these
world sites in 2023, and demonstrate the commitment of our staid
institutions, both public and private, by going dark in reflection of
the environmental impacts to which our built world and daily activities
unwittingly contribute; and

WHEREAS, Having iconic sites such as the Empire State Building, The
Capitol, and Niagara Falls go dark will have a deep and meaningful
impact on people around the world, show support for students who
recently participated in demonstrations for climate change action, and
catalyze new ways of thinking about how we can prosper as a society
without depleting our planet's vitality; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM on March
25, 2023, as Earth Hour 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.