Assembly Resolution No. 604

BY: M. of A. Bores

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
December 2-9, 2023, as Computer Science Education
Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Computer Science Education Week highlights the crucial role
that computer science plays in transforming our society and how computer
science enables innovation and creates economic opportunities in New
York; and

WHEREAS, Computing technology is an integral part of modern culture
and is transforming how people interact with each other and the world
around them; and

WHEREAS, Computer science is transforming New York's industries,
creating new fields of commerce, driving innovation in all fields of
science, and bolstering productivity in established economic sectors;
and

WHEREAS, The field of computer science underpins the information
technology sector of our economy, which is a significant contributor to
New York's economic output; and

WHEREAS, The field of computer science is a foundational science for
the digital age; and

WHEREAS, The information technology sector is uniquely positioned to
help with New York's economic recovery through the research and
development of new innovations; and

WHEREAS, The outlook for computer science jobs in New York is bright
with over 21,000 open computing positions across the state; and

WHEREAS, Providing New York students the chance to participate in
high-quality computer science activities exposes them to the rich
opportunities the field offers and provides critical thinking skills
that will serve them throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS, All New York students deserve a thorough preparation in
computer science education, including access to the qualified teachers,
technology, and age-appropriate curriculum needed to learn computer
science at the elementary and secondary levels of education; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of the Legislative Body that the State of
New York should be taking concrete steps toward the inclusion of
computer science as a fundamental skill set for all who enter the job
market; and

WHEREAS, Participating in an hour of code during Computer Science
Education Week can serve to demystify the field of computer science and
encourage more students to take up further studies of computer science;
and

WHEREAS, The field of computer science has significant equity
barriers to address, including attracting more participation by females
and underrepresented minorities to all levels and branches; and

WHEREAS, Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first females in the field
of computer science, engineered new programming languages and pioneered
standards for computer systems which laid the foundation for many
advancements in computer science; and

WHEREAS, The week of December 5th, in honor of Grace Hopper's
birthday, is thereby designated as Computer Science Education Week; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2-9, 2023, as
Computer Science Education Week 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.