New York State Executive Chamber | Governor Eliot Spitzer

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Proclamation

Whereas, New Yorkers join to recognize significant milestones in the history of this state and nation, and this year we celebrate such a momentous event in observing the 350th anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance - a document whose symbolic importance is truly immeasurable as it was a forerunner to the first amendment of the United States Constitution which granted people the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances; and

Whereas, December 27, 1657 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Flushing Remonstrance by thirty residents of the Town of Flushing - part of providing an historic opportunity for New Yorkers and all Americans to remember the role of these pioneers of independence and to reflect on the rights and privileges afforded by the life of freedom we enjoy today, as well as its associated responsibilities; and

Whereas, Queens County will celebrate this occasion with appropriate events that commemorate the efforts of those brave and visionary residents of the Town of Flushing who had the determination and resolve to stand up for their beliefs and who risked fines and banishment in order to state their call for religious freedom; and

Whereas, the Remonstrance was a petition made to Pieter Stuyvesant, Director General of New Netherland, in objection of Stuyvesant's order which dictated that only the Dutch Reformed religion could be publicly practiced, therefore barring from the Town a group of Quakers who came to the region to practice their religion; and

Whereas, in the petition, citizens made the assertion that the order was contrary to "liberty of conscience," and so today we understand the value and importance of this document which supported a fundamental belief upon which our nation is built and a principle that would eventually become enshrined in the Bill of Rights; and

Whereas, every New Yorker and American is encouraged to be part of this meaningful observance by recognizing and celebrating the spirit of freedom and liberty reflected in those who conceived, wrote and signed the Flushing Remonstrance, as New York State proudly joins to honor these noble individuals and their role in setting forth a principle subsequently embodied in our Constitution, and we rededicate ourselves to the enduring ideal of religious freedom which remains a foundation of our strength as a nation;

Now, Therefore, I, Eliot Spitzer, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim December 2007 as Flushing Remonstrance Month in the Empire State.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this twenty-ninth day of November in the year two thousand seven.

Eliot Spitzer, Governor

Richard Baum, Secretary to the Governor