Relates to acknowledging that the institution of slavery was an appalling tragedy in the history of this state

This bill formally acknowledges that slavery and the slave trade were appalling tragedies in New York state history, recognizing their barbarism, organized nature, and violation of human dignity. It declares that slavery and the slave trade were crimes against the state and humanity, and includes a formal apology from the state government for its role in sanctioning and exploiting slavery. The legislation also specifically mentions the state's historical role in creating slave codes that exploited children and destroyed families, citing Sojourner Truth as an example of this legacy.