Honor Malayalee Heritage Month

Senate Resolution No. 903 BY: Senator ADDABBO LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Malayalee Heritage Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, Asian and Asian-Pacific Islander Americans have contributed greatly to the wealth and cultural heritage of our great State of New York; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Malayalee Heritage Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans comprise many ethnicities and languages, and their myriad achievements embody the American experience; and WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have fostered enterprises to include many of our Nation's most successful and dynamic businesses; these men and women are leaders in every aspect of American life such as government, industry, science, medicine, the arts, our Armed Forces, education and sports; and WHEREAS, New York is home to Asian and Asian Pacific Islanders from all parts of the Asian continent and Pacific Islands, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Guam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan; and WHEREAS, The Malayali people are a multi ethnic linguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala in India; they are identified as native speakers of the Malayalam language, which is classified as part of the Dravidian family of languages; and WHEREAS, A large number of Malayalis have emigrated to the United States; according to the 2012 Census, there were 644,097 people with Malayalam heritage in the United States, with the highest concentrations in Bergen County, New Jersey, and Rockland County, New York; and WHEREAS, By recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, this great Empire State reaffirms our commitment to diversity and equal opportunity for all, thereby ensuring a bright future for all New Yorkers and Americans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Malayalee 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.