AP Photo Sen. Liz Krueger, D-New York City, is pictured during a September news conference.

Twenty-seven state Senate Democrats are supporting legislation to commemorate “Democracy Day” in New York state every Jan. 6.

The legislation was introduced after Congressional Republicans largely ignored the formal Jan. 6 commemoration at the U.S. Capitol last week. Sen. Liz Krueger, D-New York City, sponsored the legislation, which has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, of which Krueger is a member. No Republicans have signed on as a co-sponsor of Krueger’s bill.

“This piece of legislation will add January 6th as a day of commemoration annually. New Yorkers will be asked not only to remember a day when thousands of Americans entered the Capitol Building intending to overturn the results of the election, leading to injuries, loss of life, and incarceration,” Krueger wrote in her legislative justification. “New Yorkers will also be asked to remember that at 8 p.m. that same day, Congress reconvened in the Capitol to certify the results of the democratic election for President of the United States. ‘Democracy Day’ will honor those who were wounded or died as a result of defending the Capitol, reiterate the need to protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, and recognize the ongoing threat of anti-democratic, white nationalist, and authoritarian movements in the United States.”

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. were the only two Republicans to attend a pro forma session of the federal House of Representatives on the anniversary of last year’s riot at the Capitol. They sat together in the front row on the Republican side of the chamber as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked the U.S. Capitol Police for defending them on Jan. 6 and allowing Congress to “defeat the insurrection.”

Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, was among those who spurned the pro forma House session. The congressman issued a statement on Jan. 6 recalling his crossing of the aisle with New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer to ask for unity, respect and civility while also speaking against objections certifying Arizona’s election results.

In a two-minute video, Reed recalled hearing loud bangs, which he later learned were flash grenades and pepper spray balls used by the Capitol Police to try to disburse the protesters that were present. He talked to some of the officers and learned about possible pipe bombs that were planted nearby. As he entered his office, he could witness some of what was going on outside and turned on television to see more of the protests.

During a video posted Jan. 6, 2022, Reed reiterated his hope for the future.

“It’s a day to reflect, it’s a day to learn from and it’s a day that should make us better and stronger as a nation as we go forward,” he said.

Krueger’s legislation would amend the state Executive Law to create a new day of commemoration called Democracy Day. According to law, a day of commemoration “shall not constitute a holiday or half-holiday but shall be a day set aside in recognition and special honor of a person, persons, group, ideal, or goal.” Existing days of commemoration include Holocaust Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Women’s Equality Day, and September 11th Remembrance Day, as well as several others.

“It is critical that Americans never forget what happened one year ago, how close we came to losing our democracy, and how fragile our institutions remain,” Krueger said. “The forces of anti-democracy and anti-Americanism on the Right have not gone away – they are regrouping and reorganizing, with the continued support of leaders in the Republican Party. By commemorating Democracy Day, we will honor those who were wounded or died as a result of defending the Capitol, recognize the need to protect our democratic institutions, and continue to loudly call out anyone providing cover for white nationalism and authoritarianism. If we fail to remain vigilant, we could see the events of 1/6 repeat themselves with a much more destructive outcome.”