What's happening
This bill designates May as "Korean American Family Month" in New York to honor and recognize Korean American families.
Why it matters
Elevates recognition of Korean American families. By officially designating May as "Korean American Family Month," the bill acknowledges the cultural, social, and economic contributions of Korean American families to New York, fostering greater visibility and appreciation.
Encourages educational and community activities. The designation may prompt schools, organizations, and local governments to organize events, discussions, or educational programs highlighting Korean American heritage and family values during May.
Signals inclusivity and representation. This commemoration sends a message to Korean Americans and other minority groups that their histories and experiences are valued in New York’s social fabric, potentially strengthening community bonds and cross-cultural understanding.
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Who cares
Korean American families
The bill would designate May each year as Korean American Family Month, setting it aside for recognition and special honor.
Governor’s office
The bill would establish a framework allowing the governor to designate a commemorative month in a particular year by proclamation.
State Senate and Assembly
The bill would allow the two chambers to designate a commemorative month in a particular year through a jointly adopted resolution.
New York employers and workers
The bill specifies that a commemorative month would not constitute a holiday or half-holiday.
Headline styles
Make May Korean American Month
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.113
- Referred to finance
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.111
- Referred to finance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
616
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the month of May as Korean American Family Month
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 168-b to read as follows:
§ 168-b. Designation of months of commemoration. 1. A month of commemoration is a calendar month so designated by this section or a calendar month in any one year so designated by a proclamation of the governor or resolution of the senate and assembly jointly adopted.
2. A month of commemoration shall not constitute a holiday or half-holiday but shall be a month set aside in recognition and special honor of a person, persons, group, ideal or goal.
3. The following month shall be a month of commemoration in each year: May, to be known as "Korean American Family Month".
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01550-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the month of May as Korean American Family Month
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of the bill is to designate May as Korean American Family Month.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the executive law by adding a new Section 168-b to define a month of commemoration as a calendar month designated by this section or designated by a proclamation of the governor or a jointly adopted resolution by the senate and assembly. It also designates May as Korean American Family Month.
Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
In December of 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in Hono- lulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903. Since their arrival, Korean Americans have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support, and hard work. Family values and the importance of education are at the core of Korean culture. Spef-ifically, the concept of 'filial piety," or love and respect for one's parents and ancestors, is a vital family virtue honored by Koreans for centuries.
Children's Day was founded in 1923 and with it came the Proclamation of Children's Day, which contains eight requests by children to adults, such as treating children with respect and providing a caring environ- ment for children to learn and develop. On May 5th each year, parents and children spend the day together to strengthen the ties of the fami- ly. Since 1973, Koreans have celebrated Parents' Day on May 8th by presenting their parents with a red carnation and gifts. May 15th is designated as Teacher's Day. Korea has a long tradition of sincere respect and admiration for teachers, and students are taught to respect their teachers from the very first time they enter a school. The Korean American community in New York State continues to honor family values through various events and ceremonies held annually during the month of May. According to the 2010 United States Census, there are over 153,000 Korean Americans living in New York. The State of New York has benefit- ted culturally, economically, and intellectually as a result of the many contributions of its vibrant Korean American community. Therefore, it is apptopriate to designate May as Korean American Family Month.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016: A.10637/S.3580 - Referred to Governmental Operations.
2017-2018: A.1521/S.1971 - Referred to Governmental Operations.
2019-2020: A.510/S.3986 - Referred to Governmental Operations 2021-2022: A. 335/S.4231 - Referred to Governmental Operations.
2023/2024: A.5421/S.1899 - Referred to Governmental Operations.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act would take effect on the first of January after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.