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LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION commemorating 191 years of Guatemala's Independ-
ence from Spain on September 15, 2012

WHEREAS, Guatemala sits at the heart of what was the Mayan  civilization
until 1523, when the Spanish conquistadores arrived and began colonizing
the new world; and
  WHEREAS,  Guatemala  became  a  large producer of tobacco, sugar cane,
cocoa and agave products  harvested  and  prepared  for  export  by  the
enslaved Mayans and Africans; and
  WHEREAS,  The  first  colonial  capital,  Ciudad  Vieja, was ruined by
floods and an earthquake in 1542; survivors founded Antigua, the  second
capital, in 1543; and
  WHEREAS,  Antigua  was  destroyed  by  two  earthquakes  in  1773; the
remnants of its Spanish colonial architecture have been preserved  as  a
national  monument;  the  third  capital, Guatemala City, was founded in
1776; and
  WHEREAS, Guatemala was a Spanish colony for nearly 300  years,  before
gaining its independence on September 15, 1821; and
  WHEREAS,  Guatemala  was quickly annexed by Mexico until July of 1823,
when it joined the United Provinces of Central America until a civil war
lasting from 1838-1840 tore the nations apart; and
  WHEREAS, Guatemala's Rafael Carrera was instrumental  in  leading  the
revolt  against  the federal government and breaking apart the Union and
thus was President of Guatemala on two occasions; and
  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor and thank  the
many  Guatemalans  and Guatemalan-Americans who have come to New York in
pursuit of a better life and have made  so  many  contributions  to  our
State; now, therefore, be it
  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate 191 years of Guatemala's Independence from Spain on  Septem-
ber 15, 2012; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ambassador Oscar Padilla Lam, Consul General of Guatemala.