Senate Resolution No. 96 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 16, 2023, as Day of the African Child in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 16, 2023, as Day of the African Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day of the African Child; and WHEREAS, Established on June 16, 1991 by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Day of the African Child honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976, while also raising awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children; and WHEREAS, This vital day began as a protest by thousands, mostly students, against the government's insistence that the Afrikaans language, a language of the white minority who ruled South Africa, be used as the medium of instruction in Soweto's high schools, which served black Africans; and WHEREAS, In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, approximately 10,000 black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language; and WHEREAS, Hundreds of young students were shot and more than 100 people were killed in these protests; in the following two weeks, approximately 1,000 were injured; and WHEREAS, On June 16th every year, governments, NGOs, international organizations and other stakeholders gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the full realization of the rights of children in Africa; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize those important days which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of our great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 16, 2023, as Day of the African Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day of the African Child, in honor of the significant and countless contributions of New Yorkers of African descent who have enriched our Nation and our State; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.