LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim August 2016, 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 recog-
nize 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
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2016, as Indian-American Heritage
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted on June 30,
1968, 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 three 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 71 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; Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal; Microsoft
CEO, Satya Nadella; the first female Governor of South Carolina, Nikki
Haley; the first Indian-American elected to Congress, Dalip Singh Saund;
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 impor-
tant 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2016, as Indi-
an-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.