Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 9, 2026, as Sneakers Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1414

BY: M. of A. Rules (Jackson)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        October 9, 2026, as Sneakers 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 American-made
products that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  it  is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October  9,  2026,  as
Sneakers  Day  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with the
observance of National Sneakers Day; and

  WHEREAS, National Sneakers Day celebrates sneakers which  are  shoes
designed  for  use in sports or for other types of physical exercise but
are often also used as informal shoes for everyday use and  called  such
names as tennis shoes, kicks, or gym shoes; and

  WHEREAS,  The  origins  of  sneakers  can  be dated to the late 18th
century when people wore rubber-soled shoes called plimsolls; and

  WHEREAS, In 1892, the U.S. Rubber Company designed more  comfortable
rubber sneakers with canvas tops called Keds; and

  WHEREAS,  In 1917, Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent, used
the term "sneaker" because the rubber sole made the  shoe  stealthy  and
quiet and much easier to "sneak" around; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1923,  an  Indiana  basketball star named Chuck Taylor
endorsed the shoes, after which came the  Chuck  Taylor  All-Stars,  the
best-selling basketball shoes of all time; and

  WHEREAS,  In 1924, sneakers sold internationally when a German named
Adi Dassler created a sneaker he named after himself, Adidas; and

  WHEREAS, Sales of sneakers skyrocketed in 1984 when  Michael  Jordan
signed a contract to wear Nike shoes called Air Jordans, the most famous
sneakers ever made; and

  WHEREAS,  With  the  advent  of  the  internet,  sneaker trends from
previous decades were accelerated due to the invention  of  smartphones;
globalization   and  the  advancement  of  new  technologies  have  also
increased the worldwide spread of sneaker popularity with  social  media
as a communication tool; and

  WHEREAS,   In   2020,  the  global  sneaker  market  was  valued  at
approximately $79 billion USD and is predicted to reach $120 billion USD
in 2026; and

  WHEREAS,  Sneakers  were  born  in  the  United  States   and   have
continually evolved throughout the last 134 years since the introduction

of  Keds in 1892; sneakers are designed for sports and physical exercise
which is important for overall wellness; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  the  health benefits, sneakers epitomize
cultural trends such as Converse with rock 'n roll and Puma,  Nike,  and
Adidas  with  hip-hop;  today,  collectors  of  sneakers  are  known  as
"sneakerheads"; and

  WHEREAS, Sneakers are comfortable, and many people love to wear them
to any occasion, whether they are just relaxing at home, playing sports,
going to school, or even working; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October  9, 2026, as
Sneakers 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.