Assembly adopts resolutions urging gubernatorial proclamations for Tartan Day and several health awareness months

The New York State Assembly on the floor adopted four legislative resolutions asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare Tartan Day and several health awareness observances for April 2025.

The motions — assembly numbers 300 through 303 on the calendar — were considered by voice vote and each resolution was adopted. Assemblymember Boris introduced Assembly Resolution 300, asking the governor to proclaim April 6, 2025, as Tartan Day in New York. Assemblymember Tague introduced Assembly Resolution 301 to memorialize the governor to proclaim April 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Assemblymember Jensen presented Assembly Resolution 302 asking for proclamation of April 2025 as Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. Assembly Resolution 303, on co‑occurring disorders awareness month, was presented by Assemblymember K. Bridal and supported in debate by Assemblymember Brown.

Why it matters: sponsors used the floor time to highlight public‑health and awareness aims behind the resolutions. On the colorectal cancer resolution, Assemblymember Tague urged screening and education, citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates and lifetime‑risk statistics: "Colorectal cancer is 1 of the most highly preventable forms of cancer, thanks to efficient screening tests," and he said the CDC estimates that if every individual aged 50 or older had regular screenings, "as many as 60 percent of deaths could be prevented." Tague added risk estimates from his remarks: "1 in 23 men are projected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. For women, it's 1 in 26."

Assemblymember Schimsky, speaking in support of the colorectal resolution, emphasized that younger adults are increasingly affected and urged improved clinician awareness so younger patients receive appropriate follow‑up. On the co‑occurring disorders resolution, Assemblymember Brown described dual diagnosis (mental illness plus substance use disorder) and cited the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, saying "approximately 21,000,000 adults in The United States have co occurring disorder." Brown and others urged integration of screening and treatment across agencies to improve outcomes.

Each resolution is a formal legislative request that the governor issue a proclamation; none creates new law or funding. Floor action on the items was by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motions as adopted. A number of members spoke in favor of awareness and early detection; no roll‑call vote or recorded dissent was entered on the calendar items during the session excerpt.

Procedural notes: the clerk read the journal of Wednesday, April 2, and members dispensed with further reading by unanimous consent earlier in the session. The Assembly leadership announced committee meetings and signaled possible conference and a minority motion to discharge later in the day's work.