LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of SUNY Down-
state Medical Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in education in 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 commem-
orate the 150th Anniversary of SUNY Downstate Medical Center on Thurs-
day, September 10, 2009; and
WHEREAS, On this special occasion SUNY Downstate Medical
Center/University Hospital of Brooklyn will host a Sesquicentennial
Convocation in commemoration of its 150th Anniversary; programs like
this support the recognition of Downstate Medical Center as a leader in
the field of medical education and healthcare; and
WHEREAS, The History of Downstate Medical Center spans over 130 years,
during which time it has undergone several name changes; in 1856, two
physicians established a dispensary in downtown Brooklyn to provide care
for poor immigrants; the Long Island College Hospital grew out of this
dispensary; and
WHEREAS, In 1858, the state granted the hospital's request for a char-
ter to launch a medical school; the school, which opened its doors two
years later, revolutionized medical education in the United States; in
1931, the school was chartered as the Long Island School of Medicine,
with affiliated hospitals throughout Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The "Downstate" era began on April 5, 1950, with a special
ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where a merger contract was
signed between the Long Island College of Medicine and the newly consti-
tuted State University of New York; and
WHEREAS, Several years later, the current campus of SUNY Downstate
Medical Center was built in East Flatbush; in April of 1953, ground was
broken for the current Basic Sciences Building and President Dwight D.
Eisenhower laid the foundation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of SUNY Downstate Medical Center; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to SUNY Downstate Medical Center.