Assembly adopts series of ceremonial resolutions, including organ‑donation awareness month
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Summary
The Assembly adopted multiple ceremonial resolutions recognizing organ and tissue donation awareness month, Dingus Day, Syrian American Heritage Day, Lyme disease awareness and other observances. Sponsor remarks highlighted transplant waitlist statistics and calls to increase donor registration.
The Assembly took up and adopted a package of ceremonial resolutions, including a measure (Assembly No. 1108) asking Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month.
Sponsor Palmisano told the chamber that New York has nearly 8,000 people on transplant waitlists and that the state registry rate (52%) trails the national rate (64%). He recounted legislative history, including Lawrence Law (driver‑license registration questions) and advocacy by transplant recipients and families. ‘‘One person who donates at death can save up to eight lives and impact as many as 75 others,’’ Palmisano said.
Mister Smolin added a personal testimony and read a poem in honor of his son, who was a donor and, he said, helped save five lives. Members praised Donate Life leadership and transplant surgeons; Miss People Stokes credited a named surgeon (Dr. Kaler) whose work helped expand eligibility for Medicaid patients.
Other adopted resolutions honored regional cultural observances and awareness weeks — including Dingus Day in Western New York, Submarine Day, Syrian American Heritage Day, Black Maternal Health Week, Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. Each resolution passed by voice vote.
What’s next: these resolutions are ceremonial and ask the governor to proclaim observances or recognize community traditions; they do not by themselves create statutory or budgetary changes.
