Honor Colombia Independence Day

Senate Resolution No. 2792 BY: Senator PERALTA COMMEMORATING the 207th Anniversary of Colombia's Declaration of Independence on July 20, 2017 WHEREAS, Colombia is the only overland gateway joining North and Central America with South America; and WHEREAS, Native Colombians, African people, and Spanish settlers contributed to the "cultural melting pot" of what is today Colombia; and WHEREAS, After centuries under Spanish colonial rule characterized by political uprisings, cultural and religious influence, and the emergence of new social classes, Colombia's independence process started on July 20, 1810; and WHEREAS, On that day, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council leading to what would become Colombia's first national government; and WHEREAS, Though this revolutionary movement was only the beginning of Colombia's process of independence, it was a crucial turning point for the nation's social cohesion and much of Latin America; and WHEREAS, Led by Simon Bolivar, complete victory over the Spanish was declared in August of 1819; and WHEREAS, Today, Colombia is often recognized as Latin America's oldest democracy; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body would like to recognize that New York is home to many Colombians and Colombian-Americans and would like to join them in celebrating Colombia's Independence Day; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 207th Anniversary of Colombia's Declaration of Independence, on July 20, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Maria Isabel Nieto Jaramillo, Consul General of Colombia in New York, and to New York's various Colombian organizations.