Honoring the Washington Street Historical Society upon the occasion of the unveiling of its monument, Al Qalam: Poets in the Park, at Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza on April 30, 2026

Assembly Resolution 1242 honors the Washington Street Historical Society on the occasion of the unveiling of its monument, "Al Qalam: Poets in the Park," at Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza on April 30, 2026. The resolution recognizes the society's work in preserving the history of Lower Manhattan's Little Syria community, the state's earliest Arabic-speaking neighborhood. It also acknowledges the monument's design by artist Sara Ouhaddou, which features mosaic seating and a sculptural representation of the Arabic word for pen, highlighting the literary contributions of notable Arab-American poets. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to the Washington Street Historical Society and the Office of the Mayor of New York City.