Honor Bethlehem’s 225th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 55 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMEMORATING the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the towns and villages which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem; and WHEREAS, The Town of Bethlehem is a dynamic and diverse community with a population of over 35,000 and total area of 52 square miles; and WHEREAS, Incorporated in March of 1793, ten years after the American Revolutionary War ended, Bethlehem is situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, bordering Albany, the capital city of New York State; and WHEREAS, With a unique combination of friendly neighborhoods and rural beauty, the Town of Bethlehem includes the hamlets of Delmar, Elsmere, Glenmont, North Bethlehem, Selkirk, Slingerlands and South Bethlehem; and WHEREAS, Vital in the development of this storied town, the Slingerland family built the oldest standing home in the eponymous hamlet and was instrumental in bringing a railroad through town; they also established a post office and implemented a water system which served multiple municipalities; and WHEREAS, Nathaniel Adams served as Delmar's first postmaster in

1840, and constructed the historic house which bears his surname; and WHEREAS, The individuals who helped shape the Town into what it is today played important roles years before Bethlehem was actually founded; Sergeant James Selkirk, for whom the hamlet of Selkirk is named, was a revolutionary soldier whose discharge from the Second Regiment of New York was signed by George Washington only months before the war ended in 1783; and WHEREAS, The Haswells, who rented 300 acres near the present-day Haswell Farms development on Feura Bush Road, did not fight in the Revolutionary War; they supported the fight for independence by contributing financially to the effort; a home built by William Haswell in 1820 still stands at the entrance to Haswell Farms today; and WHEREAS, A plaque at the entrance of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Bethlehem indicates the gravesite of Patrick Callanan, who served with the Third Regiment of the Albany County Militia during the Revolution; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, 59 years after his death in 1824, Peter Callanan, Patrick's great-grandson, founded the Callanan Road Improvement Company; the business ultimately became Callanan Industries, which continues to operate in South Bethlehem; and WHEREAS, Callanans Corners and the Callanan Quarry also owe their names to this early Bethlehem family; and WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Town Supervisor David VanLuven, Bethlehem offers high-quality school systems, excellent recreational facilities for young and old, and superb programs and services; and WHEREAS, Additionally, its blend of suburban neighborhoods, rural life, and commercial enterprises make it a pleasant, attractive, and enjoyable community for businesses and residents alike; and WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Bethlehem continues to provide the quintessential quality of life for its residents; and WHEREAS, The residents of the Town of Bethlehem have a bright outlook for the future of their community, which remains a beautiful place in which to live and raise a family; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the Town of Bethlehem's rich history and enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is proud to pay tribute to this spirited town upon the occasion of its 225th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to David VanLuven, Supervisor, Town of Bethlehem.