What's happening
This bill directs the renaming of Donald J. Trump State Park to Heather D. Heyer State Park in New York.
Why it matters
Renaming the park from Donald J. Trump to Heather D. Heyer reflects a deliberate shift in public commemoration. , signaling what values and individuals New York wishes to honor in its public spaces.
The change could spark public debate and civic engagement around the legacy of both Donald Trump and Heather Heyer. , highlighting broader national conversations about race, extremism, and the symbolism of public landmarks.
Implementing the renaming (including new signs and administrative changes) will require state resources. , setting a precedent for how New York might handle similar cases in the future involving the names of public properties.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Rename Trump Park to Heyer
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Rename Trump Park to Heyer
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
444
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT directing the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to provide for the re-designation of Donald J. Trump State Park, in Putnam and Westchester counties to Heather D. Heyer State Park
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall provide for the re-designation of Donald J. Trump State Park, in Putnam and Westchester counties to Heather D. Heyer State Park. The commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of appropriate signage and any other administrative actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01161-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act directing the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to provide for the re-designation of Donald J. Trump State Park, in Putnam and Westchester counties to Heather D. Heyer State Park
Purpose
This bill would direct the commissioner of the office of parks, recre- ation and historic preservation to rename Donald J. Trump State Park.
Summary of provisions
Section I of the bill provides for the re-designation of Donald J. Trump State Park as well as the installation and maintenance of signage to this effect.
Section II sets forth the effective date.
Justification
New York State has always been known for its history of welcoming and embracing people of all cultures and backgrounds. The strength of our diversity and the values we hold high are even reflected in our park system. According to the Declaration of Policy of the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, our parks should foster and strengthen the sense of purpose, well-being and identity of the citizens of this state. The names of these public parks and green spaces should embody the goals of uplifting and unifying New Yorkers. For these reasons, the Donald J. Trump State Park should be renamed.
Americans across the nation have spoken out against the policy proposals the Trump Administration has put forth that are discriminatory, divi- sive, and misguided. Since January 2017, people have organized protests and rallies in defense of our values while pledging to uphold progress that has taken place on the local level. These people include young Americans like Heather D. Heyer, whose life was taken away at the hands of white supremacists rallying in Charlottesville, Virginia. The events that unfolded in Charlottesville are another reminder and example of the work ahead in ensuring that hate does not win. It was for this reason that Heather, who worked as a paralegal on discrimination cases, had joined so many others that day push back against the rise in racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic rhetoric that has no place in our communities.
In New York, we have and continue to stand together working on measures that protect our communities from harm while reaffirming our commitment to progress. As we move forward, it is important to recognize those who embody these values and their contributions. Re-naming Donald J. Trump State Park to Heather D. Heyer State Park would not only honor her name and her activism, but serve as a reminder of how important it is for us to denounce those who seek to divide us.
Legislative history
S.7204 of 2018 (Hoylman): Died in Cultural Affairs A.8668 of 2017-2018 (Rozic): Died in Tourism
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.