 
Senate Resolution No. 5486
 
BY: Senator SEPULVEDA
 
        COMMEMORATING June 2018, as Russian Heritage Month
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those events which foster ethnic pride  and  enhance  the
profile  of  cultural  diversity  which  strengthen  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
commemorate June 2018, as Russian Heritage Month; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Annual Russian Heritage Month is a month-long series of
events  which  celebrates  and  honors  a  rich  diversity  of  cultural
traditions  brought  to the United States from the many countries of the
former Soviet Union; and
 
  WHEREAS, Russian Heritage Month was founded in 2002 by  the  Russian
American  Foundation  and  led by its President Marina Kovalyov and Vice
President Rina Kirshner in collaboration with the City of New  York  and
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; in addition, for the past six years, Russian
American Foundation has partnered with the New York Post; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  festival  began  as  a  week-long  series  of events,
celebrating cultural and economic contributions of the  Russian-speaking
community  of  New  York, but today it has grown into an internationally
recognized month-long celebration dedicated to promoting cross-community
awareness, as well as  a  valuable  local,  national  and  international
dialogue between peoples and cultures; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Russian speaking community plays an indispensable role
in the culture, economic and social life of New York, the United  States
and the world, and Russian Heritage Month honors their contributions and
affords the opportunity to showcase their talents; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  Russian Heritage Month has become a unifying
force of the community by allowing its members, who hail from across the
former Soviet Union, to preserve their heritage, culture,  and  language
while also expressing their cultural identity; and
 
  WHEREAS,  This  annual  celebration  of arts and culture takes place
throughout the month of June in New York; Russian Heritage Month is  the
only  event  of its kind in the United States, and every year attracts a
large diverse  audience  to  enjoy  diverse  cultural  events,  such  as
contemporary and folk music, dance performances, art exhibitions, public
festivals, health and sports fairs, business expos, and more; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Many  Russian  Americans  have made vital contributions to
both the State of New York and the  Nation;  in  addition  to  President
Marina  Kovalyov,  some of these individuals include: Vladimir Dobrynin,
CEO and President of Humans Net, Inc.;  Yerlan  Shakibayev,  Founder  of
Humans  Net,  Inc.;  Roman  Vnoukov,  Principal at Design Studio Romani;
Eugene Schneur, co-Founder of Omni New York; and Greg Gurevich, Managing
Partner and Portfoli Manager at Maritime Capital LLC; and
 
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  duly  fitting  that  all New Yorkers join in these
important celebrations of one of our State's most  vibrant  communities;
this  much  anticipated  observance and its accompanying activities will
foster greater appreciation for Russian culture and serve to promote the
spirit of cooperation that is characteristic of all citizens of New York
State; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate June 2018, as Russian Heritage Month; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marina Kovalyov, President, Russian American Foundation.
Commemorating June 2018, as Russian Heritage Month

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