New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared Sunday as the first ever “Shimon Peres Day” to coincide with the annual parade for Israel that marches down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Over a celebratory breakfast Cuomo said, "This is a special day for me. A day that honors one of Israel's founding fathers - an inspirational leader and visionary. We will never forget his strong connection to the United States and New York. I am moved from the bottom of my heart.”
Last March Cuomo met with Peres's son Chemi during his visit to Israel - where he announced that starting this year, every first Sunday of June will honor Shimon Peres. Chemi Peres, Chairman of the Board of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, thanked the governor for the moving gesture, which is reserved for only a few of the world's greatest leaders, and gave Cuomo a medal in memory of his father. Chemi said, "My father worked all of his life to strengthen the strategic relationship between Israel and the United States. There is no greater friend to Israel than the United States. Today I came to say thank you on behalf of my late father. With this parade, we continue his legacy.”