Assembly adopts resolutions asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim Tarleton Day and several health awareness months

The New York State Assembly during its floor session adopted four legislative resolutions asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 6, 2025, as Tarleton Day and to designate March and April 2025 as awareness months for colorectal cancer, adolescent and young adult cancer, and co-occurring (dual-diagnosis) disorders.

The resolutions, read by the clerk and moved en bloc on the floor, were adopted by voice vote with the presiding officer saying, “On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.” The measures are ceremonial requests that the governor issue formal proclamations.

Assemblymember Tague spoke during consideration of the colorectal cancer resolution, stressing the role of screening in preventing deaths and urging awareness. “Colorectal cancer is one of the most highly preventable forms of cancer, thanks to efficient screening tests that can find warning signs before the cancer worsens,” Tague said. He cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate discussed on the floor that if every person age 50 or older had regular screenings, as many as 60 percent of deaths could be prevented. Tague also recited lifetime-risk numbers from the floor: “1 in 23 men are projected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. For women, it’s 1 in 26.”

Assemblymember Brown spoke in support of the co-occurring disorders resolution and urged integration of screening and treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. “According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2022 national survey on drug use and health, approximately 21,000,000 adults in the United States have co-occurring disorder,” Brown said, adding that integrated care can improve outcomes. Assemblymember Schimzke (as recorded) thanked Brown and singled out constituent Stephanie Marchesano for advocacy on the issue.

The four Assembly items recorded on the floor were: • Assembly Bill/Resolution 300: "Legislative resolution memorializing Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim 04/06/2025 as Tarleton Day in the state of New York." Adopted by voice vote. (Read by Assemblymember Borres.) • Assembly Bill/Resolution 301: "Legislative resolution memorializing Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the state of New York." Adopted by voice vote. (Spoken in support by Assemblymember Tague.) • Assembly Bill/Resolution 302: "Legislative resolution memorializing Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month in the state of New York." Adopted by voice vote. • Assembly Bill/Resolution 303: "Legislative resolution memorializing Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Month in the state of New York." Adopted by voice vote. (Spoken in support by Assemblymember Brown.)

None of the resolutions recorded a roll-call vote on the transcript; the clerk reported adoption after a voice vote. The texts memorialize the governor to issue proclamations rather than creating statutory obligations or directing state agencies to take regulatory action.

Speakers urged public education, screening, and integrated treatment as next steps to improve outcomes for the conditions named in the resolutions. The Assembly did not place any of the four measures on further calendar action during the excerpted floor session recorded in the transcript.