Assembly Resolution No. 456

BY: M. of A. Brabenec

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
August 2017, 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-honored traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2017, 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
Pennsylvania 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
camaraderie 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
American society as doctors, politicians, musicians, athletes, and
teachers; and

WHEREAS, Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American
politician, diplomat, ethnologist, and linguist; he held the esteemed
positions 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 fishes; 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,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2017, 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
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.