Declare Water Music NY Day

July 2, 2017, as Water Music NY Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate those events of historical significance which add strength, vigor and inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in the communities of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Sunday, July 2, 2017, as Water Music NY Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Various communities have partnered with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, New York State Canal Corporation, Market New York through Empire State Development/I LOVE NEW YORK and the New York State Council on the Arts to host this historical musical event commemorating the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Erie Canal; and WHEREAS, Traveling by barge up the Erie Canal, the Albany Symphony Orchestra will perform each night from July 2 to July 8, 2017, in various cities, highlighting each communities' unique history, emerging artistic talent and the power of the arts; and WHEREAS, On Sunday, July 2, 2017, the Albany Symphony Orchestra will stop at the Corning Preserve/Jennings Landing Amphitheatre, where hundreds of music lovers will gather to witness this auspicious event; and WHEREAS, Water Music NY Day will also call attention to the revitalization efforts in New York's waterway communities, increase tourism, and leverage the power of the arts across New York State and beyond; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal is America's most famous man-made waterway, stretching more than 500 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York; the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor encompasses New York's canal system and the communities that grew along its shores; and WHEREAS, This Corridor spans across upstate New York, including the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and the Champlain Canals and their historic alignments, encompassing 4,834 square miles in 23 counties and is home to 3.2 million people; and WHEREAS, Along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are upstate New York's largest population centers, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the state capital, Albany; and WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2, 2017, as Water Music NY Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.