Honor Swiss-American Heritage Month

Assembly Resolution No. 922 BY: M. of A. Rules (Brabenec) MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2020, as Swiss-American Heritage Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2020, as Swiss-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The late 18th and early 19th Century saw a flow of Swiss farmers forming colonies especially in Russia and in the United States; before the year 1820, some estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Swiss entered British North America; most of them settled in regions of today's Pennsylvania as well as both North and South Carolina; and WHEREAS, Throughout the next seven decades, approximately 250,000 Swiss arrived, making their homes mainly in the Midwestern states such as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, and along the Pacific Coast; today, there are approximately one million Swiss-Americans living in the United States; and WHEREAS, Along with the Swiss immigrants came their traditions; by the late 1800s, Swiss Vereins (Clubs) were established to provide camaraderie and sharing of customs and traditions of the Heimat (Homeland); and WHEREAS, In the 1890s, The William Tell Verein of Oakland and the Sacramento Helvetia Verein were formed, and later, the West Coast Swiss Wrestling Association was established to preserve the Swiss tradition of Schwingen (Swiss wrestling); and WHEREAS, Swiss immigration diminished after 1930, because of the Great Depression and World War II; between 1960 and 1990, more than

52,000 Swiss re-located to the United States; many of whom were professionals or employees in American branches of Swiss companies; and WHEREAS, Swiss-Americans have made significant contributions to American society as doctors, politicians, musicians, athletes, and teachers; and WHEREAS, Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American politician, diplomat, ethnologist, and linguist; he held the esteemed positions of Congressman, Senator, United States Ambassador, and was the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury; in 1831, he founded the University of the City of New York, now known as New York University; and WHEREAS, Swiss-born American naturalist, geologist, and teacher, Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz made revolutionary contributions to the study of natural science with landmark work on glacier activity and extinct fishes; he achieved lasting fame through his innovative teaching methods, which altered the character of natural science education in the United States; and WHEREAS, A world renowned Swiss-American chef, Dolph Zueger, currently resides in Warwick in Orange County, New York; and WHEREAS, Swiss-American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the aspirations and values that have been shared with the Swiss people for generations, and to recognize the countless contributions of Americans and New Yorkers of Swiss descent to every aspect of society; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2020, as Swiss-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.