Assembly Resolution No. 639

BY: M. of A. Maher

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 18-24, 2023, as Lightning Safety Awareness Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official weeks established to increase awareness of serious issues; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 18-24, 2023, as Lightning Safety
Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times
a year; although most occur in the summer, people can be struck at any
time of year; furthermore, lightning is hotter than the surface of the
sun and can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000 degrees
Fahrenheit; and

WHEREAS, Lightning kills an average of 47 people in the United
States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured; and

WHEREAS, The National Lightning Safety Council was established to
promote lightning safety education and awareness; and

WHEREAS, The Council recognizes National Lightning Safety Awareness
Week as a unique opportunity to provide the public with safety
information about lightning, encouraging individuals to visit the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations' comprehensive
lightning safety web site to learn more about lightning and lightning
safety; and

WHEREAS, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week was established in
2001 to call attention to this underrated killer; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, lightning fatalities in the United
States have dropped tremendously; this reduction in fatalities is
largely due to greater awareness of the lightning danger, and people
seeking safety when thunderstorms threaten; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to promote events which
inspire people to take necessary precautions against lightning strikes;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 18-24, 2023, as
Lightning Safety Awareness 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.