Assembly Resolution No. 619

BY: M. of A. Zebrowski

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
August 2023, as Indian American Heritage Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those who
foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which
strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of this great Empire State are proud to
recognize and commemorate Indian American Heritage Month, an observance
which celebrates the contributions of Indian Americans to New York
State's unique heritage; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 2023, as Indian American
Heritage Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The Immigration and Nationality Act, abolished the national
origins quota system, which was American immigration policy since the
1920s, replacing it with a preference system which focused on
immigrants' skills and family relationships with citizens or United
States residents; and

WHEREAS, This 1965 Act marked a radical break from the immigration
policies of the past and significantly increased Indian immigration to
the United States from fewer than 15,000 prior to the Act, to more than
200,000 by 1980; and

WHEREAS, Today, immigration from India is currently at its highest
level in history; there are approximately four million Indian Americans
residing in the United States with a growth rate of nearly 70 percent;
and

WHEREAS, Indian Americans greatly contribute to the leadership,
wisdom and vitality of our great State and Nation, and have attained one
of the highest educational levels of all ethnic groups in the United
States; an astounding 72 percent have a bachelor's degree compared to
the 28 percent national average; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation is blessed with many citizens of Indian descent
who are distinguished by their excellence and their contributions to all
fields of endeavor; some of these esteemed residents include: 2014 Miss
America and 2013 Miss New York, Nina Davuluri; Comedian, Aziz Ansari;
Musician, Norah Jones; former Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal;
Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella; former United States Ambassador to the
United Nations, Nikki Haley; the first Indian-American elected as United
States Vice-President, Kamala Harris; the first Indian-American elected
to Congress, Dalip Singh Saund; the first Indian-American elected to the
New York State Senate, Kevin Thomas; the first Indian-Americans elected
to the New York State Assembly, Jenifer Rajkumar and Zohran Mamdani; and
the first Indian-American woman elected to be a county legislator in the
State of New York, Rockland County Legislator Aney Paul; and


WHEREAS, Furthermore, there are nearly 35,000 Indian American
doctors practicing in the United States including Doctor Sanjay Gupta,
renowned Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Emory
University School of Medicine and Associate Chief of Neurosurgery at
Grady Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those important months which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage
of our great State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, It is duly fitting that all New Yorkers join in these
important celebrations of one of our State's most vibrant communities;
this much anticipated observance and its accompanying activities will
foster greater appreciation for Indian culture and serve to promote the
spirit of cooperation that is characteristic of all citizens of New York
State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 2023, as Indian
American Heritage Month 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.