Assembly Resolution No. 68 BY: M. of A. Jones MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 3, 2025, as Canadian Heritage Day in the State of New York, in celebration of this great Empire State's long-standing economic and cultural relationship with Canada WHEREAS, New York and Canada share many additional deep economic, historical, cultural, and familial ties; and WHEREAS, New York and Canada share an international border measuring 445 miles in length with 17 international border crossings including three of the United States' top 10 busiest border crossings and featuring many important international trade corridors, including the Quebec-New York Corridor, the Capitol Corridor, and Continental One, as well as the second-busiest crossing between Canada and the United States at the Peace Bridge; and WHEREAS, Canada is New York's primary export market, with $28 billion in exports and over $50 billion in annual bilateral trade; and WHEREAS, This relationship has led to over 800 Canadian-owned companies operating in the State of New York employing over 58,000 New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, The economies of Canada and New York are tightly linked through integrated cross-border supply chains that keep our firms competitive; Canada and New York recognize the importance of strong North American supply chains as displayed through initiatives such as the NY-Quebec corridor for semiconductors; and WHEREAS, Canada and the United States' mutual security and prosperity rely upon these predictable and secure trading relationships across a border that is both safe and secure; and WHEREAS, The United States and Canada share a long-standing commitment to working together for our common defense and security and the continuation of this successful relationship through the North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is paramount to the future security of the people of the United States and Canada; this includes the NORAD subordinate sector command the Eastern Air Defense Sector, in Rome, NY; and WHEREAS, The United States and Canada have a shared commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Americans and Canadians and have agreed through a joint roadmap to strengthen comprehensive and cross-sectoral efforts to collaborate on public health responses, and build resilience against future outbreaks; and WHEREAS, New York and Canada are committed partners in addressing the challenge of climate change and creating a stronger, more sustainable economy through energy trade, shared innovation development, and aligned policies and goals; and WHEREAS, Canada and New York celebrate this partnership with the upcoming completion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a project that will bring clean, renewable, Canadian hydropower to fuel over 1 million homes in New York City, create 1,400 direct construction jobs and 3,200 secondary jobs, and generate $1.4 billion in funding for 73 municipalities and 59 school districts over 25 years across New York State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 3, 2025, as Canadian Heritage Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York; and Consul General Tom Clark of the Consulate General of Canada in New York.