LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Thomas Paine Friends, Inc. upon the
occasion of the observance of the 200th Anniversary of Thomas Paine's
death, June 8, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate those
events and individuals of historic significance who have added strength,
vigor and inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in
the communities of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Commemorating the life of Thomas Paine would be a fitting
tribute to this eminent founder of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Thomas Paine upon the
occasion of the observance of the 200th Anniversary of Thomas Paine's
death, June 8, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Many events have been planned to observe this event; in New
York City, on Saturday, June 6, Thomas Paine Friends, Inc. will conduct
a walking tour of some sites in lower Manhattan where Paine lived his
last years; Marie's Crisis Cafe, 59 Grove Street, at the site where
Paine died, is a major place to visit; participants will be able to view
two art works, one of which includes Paine and others of the French
Revolution; and
WHEREAS, On the same day, at the Jefferson Library in Greenwich
Village, Thomas Paine Friends, Inc. and the Greenwich Village Society
for Historic Preservation are co-sponsoring a lecture by J. Ward Regan,
historian and a speaker for the New York Humanities Council and the
National Endowment for the Humanities; his topic will include a
discussion of Paine's later years in New York City; and
WHEREAS, On Monday, June 8, 2009, a re-dedication of Thomas Paine
Park, located at Foley Square will take place; several community leaders
are invited to speak about Thomas Paine's contributions and also to
commend the late Paul O'Dwyer, who, as City Council President, was
instrumental many years ago in the naming of this park for Paine; a new
Park Department historical marker will be unveiled; and
WHEREAS, The Thomas Paine Friends, Inc. of New Rochelle, New York,
will hold a remembrance at Paine Monument which is near the original
burial site on Paine's farm; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine died at the age of 72, at 59 Grove Street,
Greenwich Village, New York City on June 8, 1809; he was buried at what
is now called the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York, where
he had lived after returning to America in 1802; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 29, 1737, Thomas Paine was a great political
writer of his time; his best-selling works, COMMON SENSE, RIGHTS OF MAN,
and THE AGE OF REASON helped shape the political and social landscape of
the 18th century world; and
WHEREAS, In his classic and influential essay, COMMON SENSE, Thomas
Paine raised the call for independence from Britain, for a democratic
form of government based on equal rights for all and set the blueprint
for the establishment of our Constitution, Bill of Rights and laws; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine supported the American Revolution through his
inspirational THE AMERICAN CRISIS papers, his personal service in the
army and in government office, and by the contribution of his personal
funds; and
WHEREAS, Today, he is recognized as a visionary political thinker
whose ideas on the inalienable rights of the individual, and on govern-
ments founded to protect those rights, provide the ideological founda-
tions of modern democracies around the world; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine rose from humble origins to become a major poli-
tical figure of his time; friend and foe to the world's most powerful

leaders, he never sought personal power or wealth; instead, he devoted
himself to championing the rights of the "Common Man"; his belief in the
dignity and rights of people everywhere challenged the traditional
authority and dogmas of kings and churches and would change the course
of modern history; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine's radical ideas of liberty, equality, and
justice for all have transcended time and nations; his literary genius
for revolutionary prose crystallized popular aspirations by articulating
their cause in the vernacular of the masses; and
WHEREAS, Although opposed by an entrenched power structure and conse-
quently marginalized in our history, Thomas Paine's vision of a new
world, where justice and humanity reign, still inspires generations of
men and women everywhere to demand their inalienable rights; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Thomas Paine upon the occasion of the observance of the 200th
Anniversary of Thomas Paine's death, June 8, 2009, in recognition of
this visionary thinker who was central to the establishment of our
Nation, the man who was English by birth, French by proclamation, and
American by choice; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Thomas Paine Friends, Inc.