Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 5, 2026, as Queens Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1264

BY: M. of A. Hyndman

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 5, 2026, as Queens Day in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative  Body  to  commemorate
those  events  of  historical significance which add strength, vigor and
inspiration to the  cultural  diversity  and  quality  of  life  in  the
communities of the State of New York; 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 May 5, 2026, as Queens Day
in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  On  May 5, 2026, the best of the Borough of Queens will be
on display at the Capitol in Albany, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  This  event  is  coordinated  by  the  Queens  Chamber  of
Commerce,  in conjunction with the Queens Delegation, which will put the
spotlight on Queens and include an evening reception featuring foods and
beverages  as  well  as   a   display   of   Queens'   favorite   dining
establishments; and

  WHEREAS,  With over 2.3 million people, the Borough of Queens is the
most culturally diverse county in the United States, and  has  become  a
tourist  destination  for  its  many  cultural attractions including the
arts, businesses, culinary delights, and the many  charms  this  vibrant
community has to offer; and

  WHEREAS,  Queens  was  established  in  the  year 1683 as one of the
original 12 counties  of  New  York,  presumably  named  for  the  Queen
Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore, Queens is the largest borough geographically,
consisting of 178 square miles; is the second most populous  county;  is
the  most diverse, with 138 languages spoken; and is represented by more
than 150 countries; and

  WHEREAS, More than half of all Queens residents are foreign born,  a
much  greater concentration than any other borough in New York City, and
many of the neighborhoods reflect the  rich  cultural  heritage  of  its
residents; and

  WHEREAS,  The  symbol  of Queens, the Unisphere, is a giant globe in
Flushing Meadows Park, home of the U.S. Open  Tennis  Championships  and
the Mets at Citi Field; and

  WHEREAS,   Long   Island  City  has  emerged  as  a  major  cultural
destination, with  the  second  highest  concentration  of  museums  and
galleries  in  New York City such as: Museum of the Moving Image, Queens
Museum, New  York  Hall  of  Science;  The  Noguchi  Museum;  and  Louis
Armstrong Home Museum, who was one of the most recognizable entertainers
in  the  world  when  he chose the working-class neighborhood of Corona,
Queens, to be his home; and


  WHEREAS,   Although   Queens   is  home  to  several  large  company
headquarters, no  single  industry  dominates  its  economy;  the  first
Steinway  grand and upright pianos were crafted in Astoria back in 1853,
and for the past one hundred years, the trusted  company  has  kept  its
same  factory  for  creating superior instruments; it is one of the last
standing manufacturers in New York; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, two-thirds of all businesses in Queens  employ
between  one and four people, making small businesses the cornerstone of
the borough's economic vitality; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 5, 2026, as Queens Day
in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York; the Office of the Queens Borough President; and the Queens Chamber
of Commerce.