 
Assembly Resolution No. 608
 
BY: M. of A. Cruz
 
        COMMEMORATING   the   200th   Anniversary  of  the
        Independence of Colombia
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
pay  just  tribute  to  the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of  the  community
of the State of New York; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and  in  keeping  with  its
time-honored traditions, it is the intent of this  Legislative  Body  to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the formal Independence of Colombia
from  Spain  at this year's Ofrenda Floral at the Simon Bolivar Monument
in New York, New York, on Friday, July 19, 2019; and
 
  WHEREAS, On July 20, 1810, Colombian patriots stirred the population
of Bogota into street  protests  against  Spanish  rule;  this  was  the
beginning  of  the  process  that,  after  almost  a  decade, led to the
definitive independence of Colombia; and
 
  WHEREAS, It was in Pore, Casanare, that generals Simon  Bolivar  and
Francisco  de  Paula  Santander,  and the Provincial Congress proclaimed
their intentions to form a new government separate of the  Spaniards  in
1818; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Eight  years after their initial "cry for independence" in
1810, the pro-independence army left Pore and ultimately defeated  their
colonial masters during the legendary Battle of Boyaca; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Two  hundred  years  after  Simon Bolivar and Francisco de
Paula Santander led the  fight  for  the  independence  from  Spain  and
established  the  Republica;  despite the challenges they have met along
their history, the Colombian people have  developed  a  strong  national
identity; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Simon  Bolivar  escaped  to Cartagena, the main seaport of
neighboring Colombia, which is in  rebel  hands,  and  here  he  pens  a
powerful  political pamphlet, the "Manifesto de Cartagena," addressed to
the citizens of New Granada; in it, he offers the inspiring vision of  a
united effort to expel the Spaniards; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  1819, Simon Bolivar's small force, of only about 2,500
men, used cowhide boats to cross a succession of flooded tributaries  of
the  Orinoco;  this  ordeal  is  followed  by one even worse, a mountain
crossing during which a considerable number of the independence band die
of cold; and
 
  WHEREAS, However, the surprise holds, and the men descend  from  the
high  passes  upon  an  unsuspecting enemy; the Spanish army surrendered
after a skirmish at Boyaca, on August 7, 1819; three  days  later  Simon
Bolivar  enters  Bogota,  and the Republica de Colombia is proclaimed on
December 17th; once the independence  process  was  completed,  the  new
nation  covered  the  entire region of modern Colombia, Panama, Ecuador,
and Venezuela; and
 
 
  WHEREAS,  The commemoration of the Bicentennial of Colombia began on
June 5, 2019, 7:00 a.m.  in  the  village  of  Barrancones,  where  some
historians  say  was  the  place  chosen  for the passage of troops from
Venezuela; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Minister highlighted how a group of Araucanians of  the
present  will prepare to start the march along the old liberation route,
accompanied by members of the Brigade 18 of  the  National  Army,  which
will represent 14 historic lancers; and
 
  WHEREAS,  From  June  7-8, 2019, a Panel of Historians of Bolivarian
Countries was held  in  Arauca,  and  the  National  Symphony  Orchestra
offered  two  concerts for the first time in these cities, one in Arauca
and the next in Tame; and
 
  WHEREAS, To inaugurate the event,  President  Ivan  Duque  and  Vice
President  Marta  Lucia  Ramirez  visited  the  municipality of Pore, in
Casanare; this auspicious occasion was  observed  with  a  commemorative
plaque,  a  military  parade,  and a presentation of an official logo by
Vice  President  Ramirez,  as  well  as  a  cultural   show   with   the
participation of Walter Silva, Cholo Valderrama, and Jorge Celedon; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  200th  Anniversary  of  the  Independence of Colombia
provides  an  opportunity  to  recognize  the  significance   of   their
contributions  to the quality and character of life, and, through events
and activities, for  all  people  to  gain  a  greater  appreciation  of
Colombian  history  and  traditions,  and  of  the  role Colombians have
played, and will continue to play, in our society; and
 
  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have  this  opportunity
to  recognize  such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that  represents  and  strengthens  the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Independence of  Colombia;  and
be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Susana Berenguer, Consul General of Colombia.
Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Independence of Colombia

What's Happening

Why It Matters
