Assembly Resolution No. 676

BY: M. of A. Jensen

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Town of
Greece

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing and
celebrating important milestones in the history of towns in the Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, One such town, the Town of Greece, is celebrating the 200th
Anniversary of its founding; it was founded in 1822 with an official
anniversary date of March 22nd; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Greece was originally inhabited by nomadic
indigenous tribes settled in the Finger Lakes Area and moved northward
to Lake Ontario in 1300 A.D.; and

WHEREAS, By 1550, the dominant Native American Nations in the region
joined to form an Alliance known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy,
consisting of the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Seneca; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Greece was home to the Seneca for several
hundred years and being located on the western end of the Haudenosaunee
Confederacy made the Seneca the "Keepers of the Western Door"; and

WHEREAS, In 1669, the Town of Greece was visited by the French
Explorer La Salle and became the location of numerous English troops
during the war with the French for control of North America; and

WHEREAS, Originally called Northampton, the Town of Greece was
chartered by the New York State Legislature on March 22, 1822, and was
named Greece because of the wave of sympathy toward Greeks who were
fighting for independence from Turkish rule; and

WHEREAS, On September 13, 1862, the 140th New York Infantry Regiment
was created, and Greece residents were placed into I Company; and

WHEREAS, The 140th would play a vital role at the Battle of
Gettysburg, specifically at the fighting at Little Round Top; it is
estimated that 245 of the original 1,000 men called to arms in the 140th
New York Regiment would answer its final call to muster; and

WHEREAS, During the early 1900s, numerous technological and economic
advancements would occur that would propel Greece and Rochester to the
forefront of American industry; and

WHEREAS, Photography magnate George Eastman opened the very first
Kodak plant in 1891; Kodak became the largest employer in the area and
Greece played a significant role in Kodak's worldwide success; and

WHEREAS, Another major economic development would occur in 1931 from
John and Walter Wegman; the two brothers founded Wegmans Food Markets
which has grown significantly over the last 75 years into the country's
premier grocery operation, with Wegmans employing 52,000 people
nationally; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 200 years, the Town of Greece and its
residents have played a vital role not only in our local history but
also upon the national stage; the Town of Greece looks forward to
another 200 years of growth, prosperity, and peace; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Greece, recognizing the
significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the
communities of the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Town of Greece.