Senate Resolution No. 2938

BY: Senator PERALTA

COMMEMORATING the 196th Anniversary of the
Independence of Peru on July 28, 2017

WHEREAS, The history of the Peruvian people dates back to as early
as 10,000 BC and the oldest complex civilization, Norte Chico,
flourished along the coast of the Pacific between 3000 and 1800 BC; and

WHEREAS, Later cultures emerged including the Cipisnique, Chimu,
Wari, Chavin, Paracas, Mochica, Nazca as well as the Incas who in the
15th Century formed the most powerful empire in Pre-Columbian America;
and

WHEREAS, Peru, a Spanish Viceroyalty since 1535, was notably
exploited for its rich mineral deposits and guano used for fertilizers;
and

WHEREAS, By the early 19th Century, most South American territories
were swept by wars of independence, while the powerful colonial
government of the Viceroyalty of Peru remained loyal to Spain, only to
be challenged by the military campaigns for independence led by Jose de
San Martin and later, Simon Bolivar; and

WHEREAS, The revolutionary army led by San Martin was much smaller
than that of royalist forces, so a direct attack on the Spanish was not
a prudent move; and

WHEREAS, The revolution strategy consisted of the Peruvian people
conducting the uprisings themselves while the revolutionary forces began
to organize a new Peruvian government; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1821, Jose de San Martin promulgated the
Provisional Rules, a set of legal guarantees for Peruvian citizens; and

WHEREAS, On July 28, 1821, the army led by San Martin took over Lima
and independence from Spain was finally proclaimed; the new Peru named
San Martin their "Protector" and their ruler; and

WHEREAS, On July 26, 1822, San Martin met with Simon Bolivar at
Guayaquil to plan the future of Latin America; and

WHEREAS, The separation from Spain culminated in 1824 resulting from
the Battles on Junin and Ayachcho; and

WHEREAS, Many Peruvians have made New York their home, and this
Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Peruvian people for their
contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 196th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru on July
28, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ambassador Maria Teresa Merino Hart, Consul General of

Peru in New York, and the various Peruvian organizations in the State of
New York.