Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda Proposes Amendment to New York State Education Law to Include The History of the Garifuna People

New York - The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda has proposed an Amendment to New York State Education Law to Include The History of the Garifuna People. Assemblyman Sepúlveda announced his plan during the 6th Annual Abrazo Garifuna in New York and in the Assembly, during his remarks for the Resolution Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare March 11, 2016, to April 12, 2016, as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York.

The draft of the Bill we received, states as follows: 

AN ACT to   amend the  education  law,  in relation to instruction on the Garifuna people

The People of the State of New York represented in the Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:   

Section 1.  Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 801 of the education law, as amended by chapter 574 of the laws of 1997, are amended to read as follows:
 
1.  In order to promote a spirit of patriotic and civic service and obligation and to foster in the children of the state moral and intellectual qualities which  are  essential in preparing to meet the obligations of citizenship in peace or in war, the regents of The University of the State of New York  shall  prescribe  courses  of  instruction  in patriotism, citizenship, and human rights issues, with particular attention  to the study of the inhumanity of genocide, slavery (including the freedom trail and underground railroad),the Holocaust, the history of the Garifuna People, and the mass starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1850, to be maintained and followed in all the schools of the state.

The proclamation of March 11 -  April 12, 2016, as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York is in observance of the 219th Anniversary of the Forcible Deportation by the British  of the Garifuna People from St Vincent and The Grenadines on March 11, 1797, and  their settlement in Central America  on April 12, 1797.

According to the New York state senate website, "The job of the Senate is to work with the Assembly and the Governor to enact, amend or repeal statutes which make up the body of laws within which we live. This involves drafting, discussing and approving bills and resolutions.   (Click here to read How a Bill Becomes a Law and How You Can Help)

According to the study guide for The Garifuna Journey video. "The study of the Garifuna provides insight into a people whose history has been one of struggle and determination to survive at a time when very few people, or nations, were able to resist the onslaught of colonialism and slavery. Despite exile and subsequent Diaspora, their traditional culture survives today. It is a little known story that deserves its place in the annals of the African Diaspora."

"We are grateful to Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda for this initiative to  Amend the New York State Education Law to Include The History of the Garifuna People. It is the culmination of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. and its community partners who in 2009 decided that The community development initiative will be based on creating awareness and appreciation of the Garifuna culture and its contribution to the culture and society of New York City." said Jose Francisco Avila, Chairman of the Board of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. 

We invite the Garifuna Community of New York to remain vigilant as The Bill enters the committee and calendar stages by communicating your views on a particular issue to your Senator, you have another opportunity at this point to participate in the lawmaking process. An expression of opinion on a proposed bill can be sent directly to the committee chairman, or it can be sent to your local Senator for relay to the committee members.