Recognizing April 23, 2026, as World Book Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1194

BY: M. of A. McMahon

        RECOGNIZING  April  23, 2026, as World Book Day in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to  observe  days
set  aside  for  the  betterment  of  residents of this great State, the
Nation, and world as a whole; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
recognize April 23, 2026, as World Book Day in the State  of  New  York;
and

  WHEREAS,  World  Book Day is an annual event first recognized by the
United  Nations  Educational,  Scientific  and   Cultural   Organization
(UNESCO) in 1995; and

  WHEREAS,  UNESCO  describes  World  Book  Day  as  "one  of the most
beautiful inventions  for  sharing  ideas  and  embodying  an  effective
instrument to fight poverty and build sustainable peace"; and

  WHEREAS,  Reading  books  can  strengthen  cognitive  processes  and
critical thinking, as well as enhance language, communication,  writing,
and  problem-solving  skills;  reading also builds background knowledge,
expands vocabulary, and can promote better memory and brain health; and

  WHEREAS, Books  are  enjoyed  in  many  different  forms,  including
novels,  novellas,  graphic  novels,  picture  books, short stories, art
books, textbooks, poetry books, plays and dramas, and  audiobooks;  this
variety  allows  individuals of all ages and skillsets to experience the
joy of reading and to reap the myriad benefits books offer; and

  WHEREAS, Graphic novels, for example,  can  inspire  a  passion  for
reading  in children who find it challenging to read traditional novels,
offer an accessible mode of storytelling to neurodivergent readers,  and
inspire artistic creativity and expression; and

  WHEREAS,  Among  other  benefits,  graphic  novel  illustrations can
improve the visual literacy of readers, honing their skills  to  analyze
other  illustrations,  including  advertisements,  propaganda, political
cartoons, and more, a skill which is becoming increasingly necessary  in
the age of digital and social media; and

  WHEREAS,   By  depicting  diverse  characters,  unique  stories  and
experiences, and complex themes, graphic novels can foster  an  improved
understanding  of the world, different cultures and customs, and promote
a greater appreciation for diversity in all aspects of life; and

  WHEREAS, New York State is proud to be the home  of  many  acclaimed
authors,  including  Art  Spiegelman,  the  author  of the graphic novel
"Maus," which became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize  on
April   9,  1992,  for  depicting  the  horrors  of  the  Holocaust  and
intergenerational trauma through powerful and  emotional  illustrations;
and


  WHEREAS,  Books  are  tools  for personal and social development and
offer different perspectives through which to  view  and  interpret  the
world  around  us,  expanding  our innate senses of creativity, empathy,
passion, curiosity, and joy; and

  WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
days  of  observance that celebrate the importance of books, literature,
and media, and the authors and artists who contribute to  the  cultural,
social,  and educational value of the citizens of this great State; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
recognize April 23, 2026, as World Book Day in the State of New York.