Section 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.