Senate Resolution No. 313

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 31st Anniversary of the
Independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 1,
2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 31st Anniversary of the Independence of Bosnia and
Herzegovina on Wednesday, March 1, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Known locally as Dan nezavisnosti, this public holiday is
marked by parades, cultural pageants, speeches, historical lessons,
Bosnian cuisines, and traditional folk dances; family and friends
celebrate with get-togethers and picnics, culminating in an evening of
fireworks and concerts; and

WHEREAS, Following the end of the First World War and the collapse
of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) joined the
South Slav Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was renamed
Yugoslavia; and

WHEREAS, After an economic and political crisis in the 1980s and the
rise of nationalism, Yugoslavia broke up along its republics' borders at
the start of the 1990s; and

WHEREAS, Bosnia and Herzegovina became independent from the former
Yugoslavia when a referendum was held on February 29, 1992, and March 1,
1992; most Serbs boycotted the referendum, while 99.7% of the remaining
population voted for independence; and

WHEREAS, Independence was officially declared on March 3, 1992, and
Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a member state of the United
Nations on May 22, 1992; unfortunately, this resulted in a political
upheaval which would eventually turn into a bloody and brutal war; and

WHEREAS, Between 1992 and 2007, the State Department resettled
131,000 refugees from war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina in the United
States, 8,000 of whom were resettled in Utica, New York, where they have
rebuilt their own community; and

WHEREAS, The 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement divided post-war Bosnia
into two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Republika Srpska; and

WHEREAS, Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates its relationship
with Europe and focuses on its main objective of becoming a member of
the European Union; and

WHEREAS, The 31st Anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina's
Independence provides an opportunity for citizens to raise their flags
of white, blue and yellow, to remember the innocent victims who lost
their lives in their quest for freedom, and to recognize the
significance of their contributions to the quality and character of
life, and, through events and activities, for all people to gain a
greater appreciation of Bosnian history and traditions, and of the role
Bosnians have played, and will continue to play, in our society; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 31st Anniversary of the Independence of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.