Assembly Resolution No. 691

BY: M. of A. Brabenec

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
October 2017, as German-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 October 2017, as
German-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, In the 1670s, the first significant groups of German
immigrants arrived in the British colonies, settling primarily in New
York and Pennsylvania; immigration continued in very large numbers
during the 19th Century, with eight million arrivals from Germany; and

WHEREAS, Many Germans arrived in North America seeking religious or
political freedom, others for economic opportunities greater than those
in Europe, and others for the chance to start fresh in the New World;
and

WHEREAS, The arrivals before 1850 were mostly farmers who sought out
the most productive land, where their intensive farming techniques would
pay off; after 1840, many came to cities, where Germania,
German-speaking districts, soon emerged; and

WHEREAS, German-Americans established the first kindergartens in the
United States, introduced the Christmas tree tradition, and originated
popular American foods such as hot dogs and hamburgers; and

WHEREAS, Today, German-American celebrations are held throughout the
country, one of the most well-known being the German-American Steuben
Parade in New York City, held every third Saturday in September;
traditional Oktoberfest celebrations and the German-American Day are
also popular festivities; and

WHEREAS, Currently, German-Americans make up 11.1% of New York's
population, and approximately 49 million German-Americans live
throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, German-Americans have made significant contributions to
American society as doctors, politicians, musicians, athletes, and
teachers; and

WHEREAS, Based in New York City, German-American John Peter Zenger
began publication of the New York Weekly Journal in 1733; the paper,
backed by several prominent lawyers and merchants, attacked the
administration of the British Royal Governor of New York, William Cosby;
and

WHEREAS, Responsible for the content of the paper, John Peter Zenger
was arrested on libel charges and imprisoned in 1734; in the trial that
followed, he was defended by Andrew Hamilton, who established truth as a
defense in cases of libel; the trial, which resulted in the publisher's
acquittal, helped to establish freedom of the press in America; and

WHEREAS, Another famous German-American was Dwight David "Ike"
Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States from 1953-1961, as
well as a decorated General in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Dwight David Eisenhower served as
Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility
for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and
Germany in 1944-1945; in 1951, he became the first Supreme Commander of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and

WHEREAS, German-American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the
aspirations and values that have been shared with the German people for
generations, and to recognize the countless contributions of Americans
and New Yorkers of German 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 October 2017, as
German-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.