Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 25, 2026, as DNA Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1177

BY: M. of A. Zinerman

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        April 25, 2026, as DNA Day in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  days  that  are set aside to increase awareness of significant
events which commemorate milestones of medical importance; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 25, 2026, as DNA Day
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
DNA Day; and

  WHEREAS,  The  National  Human  Genome  Research   Institute   began
celebrating  National  DNA  Day  annually  on April 25th after the 108th
Congress passed concurrent resolutions designating it as such; and

  WHEREAS, National DNA Day commemorates when  James  Watson,  Francis
Crick,  Maurice  Wilkins,  Rosalind  Franklin  and  colleagues published
papers in the Nature journal on the discovery of the structure  of  DNA,
the double helix, on April 25, 1953; and

  WHEREAS,  This special day also recognizes the successful completion
of the Human Genome Project in April of 2003; this project gave  us  the
ability, for the first time, to read nature's complete genetic blueprint
for building a human being; and

  WHEREAS, The goal of National DNA Day is to offer students, teachers
and  the  public  an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the latest
advances in genomic research and explore how those advances might impact
their lives; and

  WHEREAS, National DNA Day celebrates the discovery and understanding
of DNA and the scientific advances that understanding has made possible;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 25, 2026, as DNA Day
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.