Senate Resolution No. 591

BY: Senator COMRIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 2, 2023, as Wrongful Conviction Day in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Wrongful Conviction Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to acknowledge vital 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 rightfully proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2, 2023, as
Wrongful Conviction Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of International Wrongful Conviction Day; and

WHEREAS, Every person is endowed with human dignity and value, and
this day raises awareness for the innocent who were unjustly
incarcerated for a crime they did not commit; and

WHEREAS, Wrongful Conviction Day, commemorated on October 2, 2023,
is 24 hours dedicated to honor those with a life stolen; and

WHEREAS, The Innocence Project, an organization with the goal of
exonerating those serving sentences for crimes they did not commit, set
this day aside in 2013 as they recognized the necessity of taking a day
in the calendar year to hold space for this unjust issue; and

WHEREAS, October 2nd is a day where communities can focus on,
discuss, and hopefully find remedies for this issue that has harmed so
many lives, individually and collectively, around the world; and

WHEREAS, Wrongful convictions have been a shameful and pervasive
issue in the history of New York State's justice system, especially
before the advent of DNA testing; and

WHEREAS, This category of injustice not only robs an innocent person
of their life, reputation, and dignity while the perpetrator of a
heinous crime walks free, it exaggerates existing prejudices against
Black and Brown communities as well as the intellectually disabled; and

WHEREAS, Today we not only honor those wrongfully convicted in New
York, but also the organizations including The Innocence Project, Policy
Research Inc., Family and Friends of the Wrongfully Convicted, LIFE Camp
Inc., King of Kings Foundation, and Man Up! U.S.A. Inc. that have fought
on behalf of these victims in our state; every day their work inspires
us to continue to commit our sincerest efforts to the eradication of
such occurrences; and

WHEREAS, It is beneficial that there be greater awareness of
Wrongful Conviction Day and more should be done to increase awareness at
the local, State, and National levels to promote efforts and continued
commitment to the eradication of wrongful convictions; now, therefore,
be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2, 2023, as
Wrongful Conviction Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of International Wrongful Conviction Day; 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.