Senate Resolution No. 856

BY: Senator SEPULVEDA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 25, 2023, as El Dia Del Bodeguero in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
illustrious businesses which positively impact and substantially
contribute to the vitality of their communities; 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 Sunday, June 25, 2023, as
El Dia Del Bodeguero in New York State; and

WHEREAS, El Dia Del Bodeguero translates to "The Day of the
Bodeguero" in English; a bodeguero is an owner or worker of a small
owner-operated convenience store, known as a bodega; and

WHEREAS, Bodegas are vital to urban environments, offering grocery
staples and hot food; these stores are characteristic of communities
and are typically rooted in Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage; and

WHEREAS, The term "bodega" was derived from the Spanish word for
"storeroom" or "wine cellar," and has been adapted to modern language to
represent convenient grocery stores in cities all over the nation, but
most notably, in the northeast of the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, In more recent years, bodega ownership has spread further
than Cuban and Puerto Rican influence, with approximately 65 percent of
New York bodegas being owned by Dominicans, and 35 percent comprising of
a mix of other ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, A bodeguero's involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment and an uncompromising standard
of excellence on behalf of the business and the community they serve;
and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges these exceptional businesses and their contributions to the
local and State economies, fully confident that they will continue to
enjoy the sparkling successes they have experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 25, 2023, as El Dia
Del Bodeguero 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.