Celebrate Erie Canal Bicentennial

Assembly Resolution No. 594 BY: M. of A. Norris COMMEMORATING the Bicentennial of the ground-breaking of the Erie Canal, to be celebrated at a myriad of events along the waterway WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its exceptional governmental, cultural, educational and recreational facilities and institutions; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal, to be celebrated at a myriad of events along the waterway; and WHEREAS, The yearlong celebration kicks off on May 19, 2017, in Waterford, with the next big event on July 8, 2017, at Lockport's set of locks known as the Flight of Five; and WHEREAS, The third major event is scheduled for July 22, 2017, in Rome, New York, where the first dig will be reenacted; 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 the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize National Historic Landmarks within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved and shared with present and future generations of citizens; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the Erie Canal's rich story and enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is proud to pay tribute to the Erie Canal on its 200th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the Bicentennial of the ground-breaking of the Erie Canal, to be celebrated at a series of major events along the waterway; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.