LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing the Barbados' National Heroes Day
Lecture 2016 "Developing Tomorrow's Heroes Today" on April 28, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its time-ho-
nored traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to recogniz-
ing the Barbados' National Heroes Day Lecture 2016 "Developing Tomor-
row's Heroes Today" on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at St. Gabriel's
Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, New York, in conjunction with the observa-
tion of the Barbados' 50th Anniversary of Independence; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious occasion, Ormond Brathwaite,
PhD., Associate Dean of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics
at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio, will serve as the
distinguished speaker for the evening; and
WHEREAS, The celebration of Barbados' independence affirms the
culture, identity and self-esteem of a people; it honors a rich heritage
and illuminates Barbadian history and tradition, as well as the spirit
of an indomitable people; and
WHEREAS, The people of this great State and nation and Barbados enjoy
a deep and abiding relationship rooted in kinship and culture, and many
New Yorkers proudly trace their own roots to Barbados; and
WHEREAS, After the first English settlement at Holetown in 1627,
Barbados remained a British colony until achieving independence from
Britain on November 30, 1966; and
WHEREAS, The first to arrive in Barbados were British sailors looking
for water supplies for their voyage from South America to England in the
year of 1625; in 1627 and 1628, British settlers came to the island and
took control; the natives were then made slaves of the British who used
them to plant sugar cane alongside slaves brought from Africa; and
WHEREAS, Several slave rebellions were planned during British rule,
but none were successful; the number of African slaves that were brought
from African nations increased as time passed, and in the 18th century,
most of the population of Barbados was black, a contrast from the
English and Scottish-Irish predominance from the previous century; and
WHEREAS, In 1834, slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire
with Barbados included; however, it was not until the 1930s that the
descendants of slaves began fighting for equal rights within Barbados;
and
WHEREAS, The problem was exacerbated as British farmers still main-
tained political control of the island; in 1949, control was wrested
away from the British, and Sir Grantley Adams, founder of the Barbados
Labour Party, became the first Premier of Barbados in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Barbados was then a self-governing colony of the British, and
Sir Grantley Adams started negotiations for the country's independence;
it was eventually granted on November 30, 1966, and that same year,
Barbados became part of the Commonwealth of Nations; a year later, the
island was granted a seat at the United Nations and the Organization of
American States; and
WHEREAS, The 50th Anniversary of Barbados' Independence provides an
opportunity to recognize the significance of their contributions to the
quality and character of life, and, through events and activities, for
all people to gain a greater appreciation of Barbados' history and
traditions, and of the role Barbadians have played, and will continue to
play, in our society; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the Barbados' National Heroes Day Lecture 2016 "Developing
Tomorrow's Heroes Today" on April 28, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Consulate General of Barbados at New York.