LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim August 2015, as Swiss-American Heritage Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 sense of this Legislative Body to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2015, as Swiss-American
Heritage Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The late 18th and early 19th Century saw a flow of Swiss
farmers forming colonies especially in Russia and in the United States;
before the year 1820, some estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Swiss entered
British North America; most of them settled in regions of today's Penn-
sylvania as well as both North and South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the next seven decades, approximately 250,000
Swiss arrived, making their homes mainly in the Midwestern states such
as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, and along the Pacific Coast;
today, there are approximately one million Swiss-Americans living in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Along with the Swiss immigrants came their traditions; by the
late 1800s, Swiss Vereins (Clubs) were established to provide camarader-
ie and sharing of customs and traditions of the Heimat (Homeland); and
WHEREAS, In the 1890s, The William Tell Verein of Oakland and the
Sacramento Helvetia Verein were formed, and later, the West Coast Swiss
Wrestling Association was established to preserve the Swiss tradition of
Schwingen (Swiss wrestling); and
WHEREAS, Swiss immigration diminished after 1930, because of the Great
Depression and World War II; between 1960 and 1990, more than 52,000
Swiss re-located to the United States; many of whom were professionals
or employees in American branches of Swiss companies; and
WHEREAS, Swiss-Americans have made significant contributions to Ameri-
can society as doctors, politicians, musicians, athletes, and teachers;
and
WHEREAS, Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American politi-
cian, diplomat, ethnologist, and linguist; he held the esteemed posi-
tions of Congressman, Senator, United States Ambassador, and was the
longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury; in 1831, he
founded the University of the City of New York, now known as New York
University; and
WHEREAS, Swiss-born American naturalist, geologist, and teacher, Jean
Louis Rodolphe Agassiz made revolutionary contributions to the study of
natural science with landmark work on glacier activity and extinct fish-
es; he achieved lasting fame through his innovative teaching methods,
which altered the character of natural science education in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, A world renowned Swiss-American chef, Dolph Zueger, currently
resides in Warwick in Orange County, New York; and
WHEREAS, Swiss-American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the
aspirations and values that have been shared with the Swiss people for
generations, and to recognize the countless contributions of Americans
and New Yorkers of Swiss descent to every aspect of society; now, there-
fore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2015, as Swiss-
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.