LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim November 16, 2016, as Education Support Professionals Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to highlight the men and women who lend their
passion and skills to educating our children; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 16, 2016, as Education Support
Professionals Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Education Support Professionals Day; and
WHEREAS, National ESP Day honors and recognizes the contributions
education support professionals (ESPs) make to public education; it is a
time to strengthen support and show respect for ESPs, who are equal and
essential partners in public education; and
WHEREAS, The National Education Association is the nation's largest
professional employee organization, representing three million education
support professionals, elementary and secondary teachers, higher educa-
tion faculty, school administrators, retired educators, and students
preparing to become educators; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, the NEA Representative Assembly called for the
creation of a special way to honor the contributions of public school
support staff; National Education Support Personnel Day was established
and celebrated that year; since then, it has been observed on the
Wednesday during American Education Week, which is celebrated the first
full week before Thanksgiving; and
WHEREAS, NEA's National Council of Education Support Professionals
(NCESP) successfully campaigned at the 2002 Representative Assembly to
change ESPs' formal name from Educational Support Personnel to Education
Support Professionals; and
WHEREAS, The name change reflects a growing pride in the essential
role ESPs play in creating great public schools for every American
student; and
WHEREAS, Education Support Professionals are made up of instructional
assistants, paraeducators, office workers, health and student services
employees, food services workers, custodians, maintenance workers, bus
drivers, security guards, technology specialists, and skilled trades
workers; and
WHEREAS, These outstanding individuals provide invaluable services
that enable students to learn in positive, supportive environments; they
work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and
professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Education Support Professionals are often the first people
our schoolchildren encounter on a daily basis; they are the people who
drive our children to school, help them cross the street, provide them a
nutritious meal, and keep their school buildings clean and safe; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 16, 2016, as
Education Support Professionals Day 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.