RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF YONKERS PROCLAIMING AND RECOGNIZING MAY 2025 AS "JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH" THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF YONKERS.
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Whereas, Jewish American Heritage Month has its origins in 1980, when Congress
enacted a Joint Resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating April 21 through April 28, 1980, as Jewish Heritage Week; and
Whereas, on April 24, 1980, President Carter issued the proclamation for Jewish
Heritage Week, and in that proclamation, President Carter spoke about the bountiful contributions made by the Jewish people to the culture and history of the United States; and
Whereas, Congress has played a central role in recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month since the Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions in 2006 and 2005, respectively, urging the President to proclaim the national observation of a month recognizing the Jewish American community ;and
Whereas, since 2007, Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have all issued
proclamations for Jewish American Heritage Month, which celebrates Jewish Americans and encourages all Americans to learn more about Jewish heritage and the contributions of Jewish people throughout the history of the United States; and
Whereas, people of the United States celebrate the rich history of Jewish people in the United States and the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to society in the United States ;and
Whereas, the United States has long served as a haven for Jewish people escaping from oppression in search of liberty, justice, and tolerance; and
Whereas, the Jewish American community dates back to 1654, when a group of 23 Jewish people, fleeing persecution at the hands of the Portuguese Inquisition, fled Brazil and found refuge in what is now New York City; and
Whereas, Jewish Americans have established deep roots in communities across the United States, and served their neighbors and the United States as loyal and patriotic citizens, always grateful for the safe harbor that the United States has provided for them; and
Whereas, Jewish Americans have served in government and the military, won Nobel prizes, led universities and corporations, advanced medicine and philanthropy, created and performed in enduring works of performing and visual art, written great novels, become emblems of justice as members of the Supreme Court of the United States, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, as the strength of a society can be measured by how that society celebrates the contributions of its Citizens, it is altogether fitting for the City of Yonkers to recognize the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of Yonkers hereby declares May 2025 to be "Jewish American Heritage Month" in the City of Yonkers