BILL NUMBER: S1097

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general construction law, in relation to the desig-
nation of Harriet Tubman day

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The primary purpose of this legislation is to establish a public holiday
that commemorates Harriet Tubman, her life achievements and her pivotal
role in the 'Underground Railroad". The legislation will designate the
tenth of March of each year, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This legislation will make the tenth of March of each year a public
holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman Day.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot, who faithfully
served her country and liberated her people. Her tireless efforts to
attain freedom for those enslaved, and hem dedication to stop the inhu-
mane practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated. It is only
fitting to pay tribute to an American heroine, who sacrificed everything
for the wellbeing of her people and country. The creation of a state
holiday, that recognizes the lifetime achievements and the historical
legacy established by Harriet Tubman, throughout New York State is
befitting. Harriet Ross Tubman, the great American abolitionist, was
born. on the Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1820, on a Plantation in
Dorchester County, Maryland. As in the case of many slaves, Harriet
Tubman was put to work as a field hand at an. early age. Because of her
color and her status as a slave, she was denied the opportunity to learn
to read or write. Nevertheless, Harriet Tubman was able to rise above
the limitations that were placed on her as a slave and as a black woman.

In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped to the North and settled in Philadelp-
hia. While in Philadelphia, Harriet Tubman met William Still, the Phila-
delphia Stationmaster of the "Underground Railroad", It was William
Still along with the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society that introduced
Harriet Tubman to the inner workings of the "underground Railroad". The
"underground Railroad" was a network of families and people that offered
their assistance, food or shelter to slaves, during their escape to the
north.

One year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a conductor (guide who
led escaped slaves to freedom) on the "Underground Railroad". In 1851,
Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to North Street in St.
Catherines Ontario, Canada. This eventually became her headquarters for
the "Underground Railroad". In the ensuing years, Harriet Tubman became
one of the most influential conductors. In the mid 14850s Harriett
Tubman made the acquaintance of United states Senator, Secretary of
State and former New York State Governor William H.  Seward and his wife
Frances in Auburn, New York. The Sewards in 1857, provided a home for
Harriet Tubman in Auburn, New York, which was later sold to her. This
new home was to become her new base of operations for the Underground
Railroad. When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman was able to liberate
several hundreds of her people to freedom, via the "Underground Rail-
road". As the most influential conductor in the "Underground Railroad",
Harriet Tubman helped free approximately 300 slaves. Harriet Tubman was
proud to claim that, "she never ran her train off the track and never
lost a passenger."  When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman served as a
cook in the Union Army in South Carolina, a nurse, a scout for raiding
parties, and a spy behind confederate lines. After her service to the
Union army, Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn, New York where she lived
the remaining years of her life.

In 1903, Harriet Tubman transferred ownership of her property to the
A.M.E. Zion Church. After her death in March 1913, the church developed
and managed her home and adjacent property in order to sustain her memo-
ry. Harriet Tubman was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York
with full military honors. Currently, the Harriet Tubman home and prop-
erty are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, New York.
The site is also part of the National Parks Service Freedom Trail.

Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to the black slave
she was considered to be the "Black Moses" who delivered to them the
"buried promise of freedom". Harriet Tubman through her actions and life
embodied the true essence of service, spirit and strength. It is esti-
mated that through her service about 300 slaves were able to attain
their freedom. Because of her spirit, countless slaves were given hope
and through her strength and conviction, she was compelled to risk her
own freedom so that other slaves could experience freedom. Through the
establishment of a state holiday, this legislation aims to ensure that
the rich historical legacy and life achievements of Harriet Tubman are
recognized and celebrated throughout New York State.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S2190/A3627(Pretlow) - Referred to Judiciary

2021-22: S3318/A1786(Pretlow) - Referred to Judiciary

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This legislation will take effect on the first of January, next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.