Honor Uruguay Independence Day

Senate Resolution No. 2799 BY: Senator PERALTA COMMEMORATING the 192nd Anniversary of Uruguay's Declaration of Independence on August 25, 2017 WHEREAS, Prior to European colonization, what is now Uruguay was home to Charrua people who were driven south from Paraguay by the Guarani people; and WHEREAS, In the early 1500s, Spanish conquerors discovered Uruguay and despite great native resistance and lack of silver and gold, eventually colonized the land otherwise undesired by the Portuguese in neighboring Brazil; and WHEREAS, Uruguay's true resources such as its sprawling prairies and nearly inexhaustible water supply were soon recognized by the Spanish; the Spanish introduced the first cattle, subsequently, Uruguay would become a livestock colony; and WHEREAS, Uruguay had grown to be quite prosperous by the early 17th Century and even more so in the 18th Century after the founding of Montevideo, a military stronghold and burgeoning commercial center; and WHEREAS, Upon the passing of Uruguay's formative generations, their descendents became reasonably aware of the lack of freedoms including self-government and social promotion; and WHEREAS, In the wake of the American, French and myriad South American Revolutions, Uruguay began a revolutionary movement led by Jose Gervasio Artigas in 1811, which created years of great conflict between the Spanish, Portugese and British forces; and WHEREAS, By 1821, present day Uruguay was annexed by Brazil; and WHEREAS, Artigas had retreated to Paraguay, but an army of 33 men continued the Crusade for Liberation culminating on August 25, 1825; the Declaration of Uruguay's Independence was made and Uruguay joined a regional federation with Argentina; and WHEREAS, In 1828, the United Kingdom helped shape and enact the Treaty of Montevideo, also called the Preliminary Peace Convention which deemed Uruguay an independent state and by 1830, the first national constitution was adopted; and WHEREAS, Uruguay, as a developing nation, has thrived despite the numerous social, economic and political struggles; and WHEREAS, Many Uruguayans have made New York their home, and this Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Uruguayan people for their contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 192nd Anniversary of Uruguay's Declaration of Independence on August 25, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Pauline Davis Ambrosoni, Consul General of Uruguay in New York.