Senate Resolution No. 113 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 17, 2023, as Telecommunication and Information Society Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of the residents of the State of New York; 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 May 17, 2023, as Telecommunication and Information Society Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day; and WHEREAS, The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has not only highlighted the critical role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for continued functioning of societies but has also brought to the fore the startling digital inequalities between and within countries; and WHEREAS, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) members have stepped up and engaged in activities that have proven essential in saving lives and sustaining economies; they have demonstrated their remarkable resilience in the face of challenging times; and WHEREAS, At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency of accelerating digital transformation and advancing the goals and targets of the Connect 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind; and WHEREAS, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2023 is an opportunity for ITU membership to continue to push for digital transformation by promoting national strategies on ICT development, smart policies to encourage investments, cooperation, and partnership; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 17, 2023, as Telecommunication and Information Society Day in the State of New York; 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.