New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 8 - Executive Orders (Andrew M. Cuomo) › Section 8.158 - Executive Order No. 158: Establishing the LGBT Memorial Commission

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2016, 49 people were murdered in a
					 terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida that specifically targeted the lesbian,
					 gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, resulting in the loss of
					 innocent lives to senseless gun violence;
WHEREAS, New York continues to mourn the victims of this
					 tragedy and the loss of innocent lives to senseless gun violence;
WHEREAS, the memory of these and other victims must be
					 honored as part of our on-going commitment to advance a compassionate and
					 tolerant society where everyone can live free from prejudice and love whomever
					 they choose;
WHEREAS, New York stands united with the LGBT community and
					 all victims of gun violence and terrorism;
WHEREAS, New York is the proud birthplace of the national
					 movement for fairness, justice, and equal rights for LGBT citizens and
					 continues to be a leader in the pursuit of individual rights and freedoms for
					 all;
WHEREAS, under New York law, the act of intentionally
					 harming a person based on a belief or perception of the person's sexual
					 orientation is classified as a hate crime and subject to increased criminal
					 penalties;
WHEREAS, in addition to enacting hate crimes legislation,
					 New York has advanced and secured essential rights and protections for LGBT New
					 Yorkers including enacting the Marriage Equality Act to allow same-sex couples
					 to marry, adopting regulations affirming that all transgender individuals are
					 protected under the State's Human Rights Law, banning the deplorable practice
					 of conversion therapy, strengthening health care and insurance regulations to
					 protect transgender New Yorkers, and committing programmatic and fiscal
					 resources to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
NOW THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of
					 New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws
					 of the State of New York, do order as follows:
1. There is hereby established the LGBT
				  Memorial Commission (the Commission). The Commission shall provide
				  recommendations to the Governor pertaining to the site, design, and
				  installation of a memorial in the vicinity of the western portion of Greenwich
				  Village in the City of New York to honor the victims of the June 12, 2016
				  terrorist attack, and to stand as an international symbol against ignorance,
				  hate, bigotry, and gun violence.
2.
				  The Governor shall appoint ten voting members to the Commission, which shall
				  include individuals with a range of perspectives, interests, and specific
				  knowledge concerning the LGBT community. All members of the Commission shall
				  serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
3. A majority of the total members of the
				  Commission who have been appointed shall constitute a quorum, and all
				  recommendations of the Commission shall require approval of a majority of its
				  total members.
4. Every agency,
				  department, office, division or public authority of this State shall provide to
				  the Commission such information, assistance and cooperation, including use of
				  State facilities, which is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of
				  this Order. Staff support necessary for the conduct of the Commission's work
				  may be furnished by state agencies and authorities (subject, as necessary, to
				  the approval of the board of directors of such authorities).
5. The Commission may draw upon the human
				  resources, expertise and funding of private institutions, as consistent with
				  all laws and regulations regarding such assistance. Such assistance shall be
				  provided without financial remuneration and shall not be provided under any
				  circumstances that would create an actual conflict of interest, or the
				  appearance of such a conflict.
6.
				  The Commission shall commence its work immediately. On or before December 31,
				  2016, or such other time as may be specified by the Governor, the Commission
				  shall complete its duties and activities described herein and provide its
				  recommendations to the Governor, at which time the Commission shall terminate
				  its work and be relieved of all responsibilities and duties
				  hereunder.