LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary, June 23, 2009

WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of the
great Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and rever-
ent esteem to pay tribute to the men and women who so courageously serve
and have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and its civil-
ian components; 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 70th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was created by an Act
of Congress in 1939; it is the civilian component of the United States
Coast Guard under the Department of Homeland Security; and
WHEREAS, There are over 30,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in
the United States; they are referred to as the "Force Multipliers" of
the Coast Guard and are an integral part of the Coast Guard team; and
WHEREAS, The members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary have
undergone stringent federal security clearance, an in-depth process of
background checks, which are mandatory for participation in a wide range
of critical functions pertaining to Coast Guard and Homeland Security
duties; and
WHEREAS, Performing search and rescue patrols, safe channel patrols,
maritime security patrols and perimeter security for regattas, fireworks
displays, and at accident sites, the Auxiliary perform with written
authorization under official military orders of the United States Coast
Guard; and
WHEREAS, With responsibilities which include recreational boating and
marine safety and security, as well as Coast Guard mission support, the
Auxiliary conducts vessel inspections for safety and regulatory compli-
ance, performs duty assignments on Coast Guard cutters and at Coast
Guard stations, and interacts with the Office of Emergency Management,
the State Police, Fire Departments and a variety of other agencies; it
has an extensive air unit that performs search and rescue operations,
ice breaking and safety patrols; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts interactive
training with Coast Guard forces on both land and sea, and performs
marine domain awareness patrols with mobile radio units; it also teaches
safe boating classes to the public, major corporations, public safety
departments and the Port Authority police; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Commodore Steve Ackerman, the
First District Southern Region Coast Guard Auxiliary performs vitally
necessary functions as part of Team Coast Guard and serves the tri-state
area including Northern New Jersey, Eastern New York, Connecticut and
Southern Vermont, including the Hudson River Valley and Lake Champlain;
and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the First District Southern Region, Coast Guard
Auxiliarists saved 16 lives, assisted 527 people in distress and saved
over $14 million in property; they also conducted over 10,000 recre-
ational vessel safety checks, made over 6,000 marine dealer visits and
engaged in over 5,600 hours of public education teaching; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to America's Volun-
teer Lifesavers, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; for over 70

years, its highly motivated and patriotic members have worked with and
served under the direction of the United States Coast Guard, saving
lives and safeguarding our shores and waterways; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard Auxil-
iary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Commodore Steve Ackerman, First District Southern Region,
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.