Assembly Resolution No. 439

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

COMMEMORATING the one-year Anniversary of the mass
shooting at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New
York, on May 14, 2023, and honoring the victims,
survivors, families, and community at large in wake
of this devastating tragedy

WHEREAS, The very principles of American freedom, and the safety and
security of every American at home and abroad were challenged by the
unspeakable atrocities committed in the East Side of Buffalo, during a
sunny afternoon on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at a Tops grocery store
located on historic Jefferson Ave; and

WHEREAS, As the one-year mark of this senseless massacre approaches,
Buffalo is preparing an array of events to honor those who lost their
lives and to uplift the community, including "Racism, Racial Literacy
and Mental Health: A Conversation with Dr. Howard Stevenson" on May 11,
2023, at the University of Buffalo; "Beyond Hate," a panel discussion,
on May 12, 2023, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; the 5/14
5K and Marathon, sponsored by the Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship
Foundation, will begin at 8 a.m. at Canisius College, where Salter had
been a student; and on May 14, 2023, Mayor Byron Brown will lead a
Remembrance at the Tops supermarket, and church bells will chime at 2:28
p.m., the moment the 123-second rampage began; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, as we remember this horrific day, we honor the
10 innocent people who were killed: Roberta A. Drury, Geraldine Talley,
Celestine Chaney, Kathrine Massey, Pearl Young, Ruth Whitfield, Margus
D. Morrison, Andre Mackneil, retired Buffalo Police Lieutenant Aaron
Salter, and Heyward Patterson; and

WHEREAS, In addition, we honor the survivors: Jennifer Warrington,
Zaire Goodman, and Christopher Braden; and

WHEREAS, The May 14th Memorial Commission was established by
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Byron Brown to combat racism in all
forms and work towards a future where hatred and bigotry are a thing of
the past; the Commission, led by Buffalo NAACP President Reverend Mark
Blue, will have a leading role in uplifting the East Buffalo community;
and

WHEREAS, For all New Yorkers, the images of this horrific domestic
act of terrorism rekindles heartbreaking memories and causes us to pause
and reflect on our daily lives; and

WHEREAS, The very heart and soul of America was once more shaken to
its core and this tragedy stands as a reminder that such senseless acts
of violence will not destroy the honorable values that America stands
for; and

WHEREAS, The power of human compassion and the strength and spirit
of the American people were revealed in Buffalo as we learned of the
immediate and heroic outpouring of service and concern for the victims
of this act of terrorism and in its aftermath; and


WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted first responders, including police officers, Erie
County sheriff's deputies, and FBI agents, as well as paramedics and
firefighters, who inspire us all by carrying out their sworn duties with
great courage and bravery; and

WHEREAS, The combined and coordinated efforts of these individuals
and their swift response are a testament to the spirit of unity and
fellowship in the face of adversity which characterizes the best of
America; and

WHEREAS, The people of the State of New York stand steadfast in
their solidarity with Buffalo, New York, honoring all of whom were
victimized by the city's worst mass shooting on Saturday, May 14, 2022,
and standing resolute in our obligation to condemn racism, domestic
terrorism and all forms of hatred; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the one-year Anniversary of the mass shooting at Tops
Friendly Supermarkets, and to extend to the people of Buffalo the
sincerest best wishes and heartfelt prayers of all New Yorkers; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to survivors and families of the victims of this horrific
act of domestic terrorism.