Bill > K00263

This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State, acknowledging the significant contributions of Arab Americans to American society. The resolution highlights the historical and cultural importance of Arab Americans, noting their valuable contributions in fields like medicine, law, business, technology, and culture, and emphasizing their resilient family values and strong work ethic. It references notable Arab American figures like writer Ameen Rihani and poet Kahlil Gibran, and provides context about Arab American immigration, including the first Arabic speaker who arrived in North America in 1528. The resolution also cites demographic information, such as the estimated 3,700,000 Arab Americans in the United States, with over 200,000 in New York State, and recognizes Arabic as one of the fastest-growing languages in the country. Additionally, the resolution calls for increased public education and cultural awareness about the Arab American experience and directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to Governor Hochul, the Kahlil Gibran School in Yonkers, the Arab American Institute, and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/K263