This has been the result of the work of the Belarusian diaspora in the United States in popularizing Belarus in the West, spreading information about the country’s history and current situation.

Below the text of the official proclamation.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: March 25, 1957 will be the thirtyninth anniversary of the Proclamation of the free and independent Byelorussian Democratic Republic; and

WHEREAS: Americans of Byelorussian descent are observing this date by reasserting their belief in freedom for all people and reaffirming their conviction that tyranny and despotism cannot long prevail where man so believs; and

WHEREAS: it is universally recognized that the resistance of the brave and patriotic Byelorussian people to communistic totalitarianism has never waned even to this day,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERT F. WAGNER, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Monday, March 25, 1957, as BYELORUSSIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY in the City of New York, and call upon all citizens to join with those of Byelorussian origin in prayers for peace, freedom and justice in the world.

(Robert F. Wagner)
Mayor, The City of New York

State of New York Executive Chamber

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF NEW YORK

PROCLAMATION

Whereas: The Belarusian American community is observing the 75th anniversary of the Belarus Democratic Republic on the twenty-fifth of March, and

Whereas: More than 500,000 immigrants from Belarus arrived in the United States between 1890 and 1920. The headquarters of their first organization was located on Park Row accross from City Hall in 1920. More than 50,000 immigrants arrived after World War II, fleeing opression and seeking to build new lives for themselves and their families in the Land of Freedom, and

Whereas: For more than a century, New Yorkers of Belarusian descent have contributed to every area of the life and culture of our city, sharing their rich heritage with all New Yorkers, and

Whereas: As we commemorate the anniversary of the Belarus Democratic Republic, we remember with sadness the continuing devastation of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Seventy percent of the fallout from Chernobyl contaminated one-third of Belarus and affected 2.2 million people — including many relatives of New Yorkers. Many scientists, physicians and other men and women of good will from our city and our nation continue their work to assist the people already affected and to seek long-term solutions.

Now therefore, I, Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of the City of New York, in recognition of this important anniversary, do hereby proclaim Sunday, March 26, 1995, in the City of New York as BELARUSIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Rudolph W. Giuliani
Mayor