Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the New York City Council vote for the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations.

At this time, I'd like to remind everyone to please silence all devices and at no point during the vote may you approach the dais.

Chair, we are ready to begin.

Good morning.

I am Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Relations.

Today, the committee will vote on two resolutions which have already been heard.

Resile number five, sponsored by the speaker and Councilmember Carr, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

resolution number 15, sponsored by Councilmember Ariola, which would declare July 2nd annually in the City of New York as Freedom Day to commemorate the anniversary of the vote of the second Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain in 1776.

Additionally, the committee will hear and vote on five preconsidered resolutions, a preconsidered resolution sponsored by Councilmember Rita Joseph, which would call on the New York State legislature to introduce and pass and the governor to sign legislation to amend the education law and relations to requiring instruction on the history, contributions, and experiences of people of African descent in public schools.

We'll also hear a pre-considered resolution sponsored by Councilmember Gennaro, which would commemorate the pivotal political and military role of New York City in the birth of the U.S.

of America, US of America, United States of America 250 years ago.

A preconsidered resolution sponsored by Councilmember Marte, which would celebrate the historical documents that contributed to the birth of the United States of America and are on display at the New York Public Library as part of the nation's 250th anniversary.

A preconsidered resolution sponsored by Councilmember Maloney, Kevin Riley, Amanda Fadias, Chris Marte, Farah Lewis, and the Speaker, which would declare June 13th as New York Knicks Day in the City of New York to celebrate the contributions of the world-class basketball team to the city's culture and civic identity.

And a preconsidered resolution sponsored by the Speaker and Council members Maloney, Fadias, Marte, Riley, and Lewis, which would celebrate the Nixon 5 as the New York Knicks win the 2026 MBA Championship.

Let's hear from some of the sponsors to give some remarks.

And first up, we have Councilmember Marte.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm proud to introduce this resolution recognizing the New York Public Library declaring America 1776 and beyond exhibition as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States.

New York City was not just a setting for the American Revolution.

It was one of its battlegrounds.

And it's where it was a place where the ideas, conflicts, and contradictions of this country were being tested from the very beginning.

This exhibition gives New Yorkers a rare chance to see that history up close, from documents that help spark the revolution to Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence.

It also gives us the chance to reflect honestly on the promises that were made at the founding of this country, the people who were excluded from them, and the work that remains to build a democracy that lives upon these ideals.

I want to thank the New York Public Library for making these documents accessible to the public.

And I want to make sure that no one tells Nicholas Cage because we don't want them stolen.

And I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up, Councilmember Joseph.

Wonderful.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker Williams.

I'm proud to support this resolution calling on the New York state legislator to mend the education law to require instruction in our schools on the history, contributions, and experiences of people of African descent.

Our classrooms should reflect the rich diversity of our communities they serve.

Teaching the history and contributions of African descent is not an addition to American history.

It is an essential part of it.

From science and the arts to civic leadership, labor, education, and the ongoing fight for justice.

These stories have shaped our nation and deserve to be taught with the depth and accuracy they warrant.

As an educator, I know that students thrive when they see themselves reflected in the curriculum and when they are given the opportunity to learn a full share of their history.

An inclusive education fosters critical thinking, strengthen cultural understandings, and prepare young people to become engaged and informed citizens.

This resolution is an important step toward ensuring that our education system tells a more complete and truthful story, one that honors the resilience, achievement, and enduring impact of African descent.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

Thank you.

And finally, let me ask Councilmember Maloney to talk about her remarks.

Thank you.

Some moments transcend sports and they become part of a city's identity.

And we've certainly felt that over the past few weeks when after 53 years, the Knicks finally brought the Larry O'Brien trophy back to New York.

Car horns echoed through the neighborhoods, entire blocks spilled into the streets chanting Nixon Five, pack sports bars erupted.

Neighbors who had never met embraced like old friends and strangers high-fived on subway platforms.

For one night, every borough celebrated as one city.

So I'm proud to introduce a resolution that would declare June 13th, New York's Knicks Day in the city of New York to commemorate this historic 2026 MBA championship.

An annual Knicks Day will ensure future generations remember that not only the Wix won Knicks won their first championship, but that for one summer New York came together across every borough to celebrate one of the greatest moments in city sports history.

I respect for the uh respectfully asked for the committee's support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um I really want to thank my staff and committee staff who worked uh on preparing for today, including Regina, the committee's senior policy analyst who drafted six of these resolutions.

And I just wanted to say something completely off script, but you know, when I think about Freedom Day, I know we have a resolution on Freedom Day, another resolution just simply commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Um, I think it's so important that we continue to tell a fuller story and we speak the names of individuals who are not free.

Um, like many of my ancestors who were forcibly brought to this country.

And so um, you know, I always have to echo Frederick Douglass's comments.

What to the slave is the Fourth of July, what to descendants of slaves is 250 years of this country.

And with that, I'll ask um uh the clerk to call the role.

Matthew Distefano, committee clerk, committee on cultural affairs, libraries, and international relations.

All items are coupled.

Chair Williams.

I was supposed to ask if there's testimony.

Excuse me.

It's not your fault, it's mine.

If there's any testimony, no testimony, okay, great.

Just kidding, back to the role.

All right, Chair Williams.

I vote aye.

Hi, and all.

Congratulations.

Hudson.

Aye on all.

Oh, say.

Aye.

Stevens.

Ung.

Maloney.

I vote aye on all.

And by a vote of six in the affirmative, zero in a negative, and no abstentions.

The items have been adopted.

Okay, this hearing is closed.