Senate Resolution No. 130 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 18, 2023, as Haitian Flag Day 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, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 18, 2023, as Haitian Flag Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, From May 15-18, 1803, the Congress of Arcahaie convened to unite the command of the revolutionary army under one authority and to adopt a flag; it was not until May 18, 1803, that flag adoption became an issue; and WHEREAS, The flag debate lasted the entire day, with one side suggesting the slogan "Liberty or Death"; finally the Congress adopted the blue and red bicolor, which is the flag of Haiti; and WHEREAS, Catherine Flon had sewn the original flag on the last day of the Congress of Arcahaie, and the generals swore an oath of "Liberty or Death" on the flag, which was to lead the slaves to victory and freedom; and WHEREAS, The people of Haiti take a great deal of pride in their nation's flag; after struggling for years to rid their territory of both slavery and imperialism, Haitian revolutionaries were able to achieve such goals; and WHEREAS, There is no greater symbol of their everlasting dedication to an independent Haiti than the flag which represents their triumphs; and WHEREAS, The descendants of these revolutionaries are so proud of them that students of Haitian backgrounds within the United States dress with the colors of the flag throughout the week of May 18th, celebrating when the flag was first created; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to urge the citizens of New York State to join those of Haitian backgrounds as they rejoice in the accomplishments of their ancestors by memorializing May 18, 2023, as Haitian Flag Day; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 18, 2023, as Haitian Flag 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.