Designates the tenth day of March of each year as a public holiday, to be known as Harriet Tubman day

• Democratic1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

Harriet Ross Tubman was an American heroine and patriot, who faithfully served her country and liberated her people. Her tireless efforts to attain freedom for those enslaved, and her dedication to stopping the inhumane practice of slavery should be recognized and celebrated. It is only fitting to pay tribute to an American heroine, who sacrificed everything for the wellbeing of her people and country. The creation of a state holiday, that recognizes the lifetime achievements and the historical legacy established by Harriet Tubman, throughout New York State is befitting. Harriet Ross Tubman, the great American abolition- ist, was born. on the Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1820, on a Plan- tation in Dorchester County, Maryland.. As in the case of many slaves, Harriet Tubman was put to work as a field hand at an. early age. Because of her color and her status as a slave, she was denied the opportunity to learn to read or write. Nevertheless, Harriet Tubman was able to rise above the limitations that were placed on her as a slave and as a black woman. In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped to the North and settled in Philadelp- hia. While in Philadelphia, Harriet Tubman met William Still, the Phila- delphia Stationmaster of the Underground Railroad. It was William Still, along with the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society, that introduced Harriet Tubman to the inner workings of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of families and people that offered their assistance, food or shelter to slaves, during their escape to the north. One year after her escape, Harriet Tubman became a conductor (i.e., a guide who led escaped slaves to freedom) through the Underground Rail- road. In 1851, Harriet Tubman relocated members of her family to North Street in St. Catherines Ontario, Canada. This eventually became her headquarters for the Underground Railroad. In the ensuing years, Harriet Tubman became one of the most influential conductors. In the mid-1850s, Harriett Tubman made the acquaintance of United states Senator, Secre- tary of State, and former New York State Governor William H. Seward and his wife Frances in Auburn, New York. The Sewards, in 1857, provided a home for Harriet Tubman in Auburn, New York, which was later sold to her. This new home was to become her new base of operations for the Underground Railroad. When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman was able to liberate several hundreds of her people to freedom, via the Under- ground Railroad. As the most influential conductor in the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman helped free approximately 300 slaves. Harriet Tubman was proud to claim that "she never ran her train off the track and never lost a passenger." When the Civil War began, Harriet Tubman served as a cook in the Union Army in South Carolina, a nurse, a scout for raiding parties, and a spy behind confederate lines. After her service to the Union army, Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn, New York where she lived the remaining years of her life. In 1903, Harriet Tubman transferred ownership of her property to the A.M.E. Zion Church. After her death in March 1913, the church developed and managed her home and adjacent property to sustain her memory. Harriet Tubman was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York with full military honors. Currently, the Harriet Tubman home and property are registered as National Historic Landmarks in Auburn, New York. The site is also part of the National Parks Service Freedom Trail. Harriet Tubman was many things to many people, but to the black slave she was considered to be the "Black Moses" who delivered to them the "buried promise of freedom". Harriet Tubman, through her actions and life, embodied the true essence of service, spirit, and strength. It is estimated that through her service, about 300 slaves were able to attain their freedom. Because of her spirit, countless slaves were given hope, and through her strength and conviction, she was compelled to

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.