LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 14, 2013, as Socks for the Homeless Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2013, as Socks for the
Homeless Day in the State of New York, and to encourage all citizens of
this great Empire State to contribute to organizations that provide
socks for the homeless; and
WHEREAS, According to HUD in 2010, there were 649,879 homeless indi-
viduals across America; and
WHEREAS, A pair of socks is a basic need for a person to have and a
lack of socks can lead to frostbite and blisters as well as ulcer forma-
tions and inevitable loss of limb and amputation; and
WHEREAS, Clothing donations to the homeless rarely include much-needed
socks; and
WHEREAS, The need for clean, dry socks is imperative to decrease the
likelihood of fungal and bacterial infection that can be harbored in a
shoe liner and then can infect a person, leading to cellulitis and skin
infection; and
WHEREAS, The need for socks is basic in that they protect the feet
from the internal structures of shoes as well as help insulate the feet
from cold surfaces, especially for those who deal with rheumatoid
arthritis; and
WHEREAS, The simplicity of socks can make so much difference for the
homeless individual; and
WHEREAS, For children, new socks can mean not having splinters and
infected fungal nails after borrowing other kids' shoes or using donated
hand-me-downs without a barrier like a sock to protect them from conta-
gious agents; and
WHEREAS, Single mothers and children who have one pair of socks, which
can last only so long, are given back dignity when they own new, non-
tattered socks; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of New York to continue to
raise awareness of the plight of homeless individuals and the medical
problems associated with being homeless and sockless; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2013, as
Socks for the Homeless Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.