N.Y. Executive Law § 320: Legislative findings and declaration

§ 320. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature finds and

declares that an institution embodying the heritage, ideals and concerns

of the people of the state of New York for peace and social justice as

exemplified by the philosophy and nonviolent leadership of Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. is an appropriate response to the significant public

need for the state to develop methods in addition to current law

enforcement responses to curb the use of violence and encourage the

nonviolent management of social conflict.

It is further found and declared that people throughout the state fear

violence and deplore the social injustice that can give rise to

violence. New York state citizens are experiencing increasing racial and

cultural hostilities stemming from rapid social change and real and

perceived conflicts over group and individual interests and they may be

disadvantaged by a lack of problem-solving skills for redressing these

social conflicts.

It is further found and declared that many potentially destructive

conflicts between different societal groups and interests have been

resolved constructively and effectively at the national, state and local

level through the use of nonviolent methods as were advocated and

exemplified by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is further found and declared there is a need to examine the

history, nature, elements and future of nonviolent processes for

conflict resolution, and to develop new techniques to promote

nonviolence solutions to economic, political, social and cultural

conflicts in the state. Such activities conducted through government,

private enterprise, and voluntary associations can be strengthened by a

state institution devoted to research, education and training and the

provision of information services with respect to nonviolent conflict

resolution techniques.

To accomplish these public purposes, it therefore is necessary that

the state of New York establish the New York state Martin Luther King,

Jr. institute for nonviolence to serve the citizens of the state and

their government through education and training opportunities, basic and

applied research opportunities, and information services, with respect

to the promotion of nonviolent methods and techniques to resolve

conflicts among individuals and groups of New York state citizens.