LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the designation of the Montauk
Point lighthouse as a National Historic Landmark

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate the
designation of the Montauk Point lighthouse as a National Historic Land-
mark, and to commend the efforts of the Montauk Historical Society in
attaining this most auspicious designation; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of the Interior has decided to
officially designate the Montauk Point lighthouse a National Historic
Landmark, making it the 12th place in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to
receive the country's highest historic honor; and
WHEREAS, The Montauk Historical Society has worked tirelessly for six
years, obtaining shipping records and other data to detail the Montauk
lighthouse's special role in the development and growth of the Port of
New York, becoming a critical waypoint in guiding ships coming from
Europe between 1797 and 1870; and
WHEREAS, After searching through decades of shipping records, the
lighthouse committee was able to show how the tonnage shipped out of the
European ports of Liverpool, England, and Le Havre, France, added to the
fledgling nation's prosperity, and how the lighthouse was the most
important landmark for ships on that route; and
WHEREAS, Authorized by the Second Congress in 1792 and under President
George Washington, construction on the Montauk Point lighthouse began on
June 7, 1796 and completed on November 5, 1796; and
WHEREAS, The Montauk Point lighthouse was the first lighthouse built
in New York State and is the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, With a foundation 13 feet-deep and 9 feet-thick, the Montauk
Point lighthouse was constructed of sandstone blocks from Connecticut, 8
inches high and varying in length from 18 to 44 inches; the walls are 6
feet thick at the base tapering to 3 feet thick at the top and it stands
at 110 feet, 6 inches tall; inside, 137 iron steps take you to the top
of its tower; and
WHEREAS, The Montauk Point lighthouse light flashes every 5 seconds
and can be seen a distance of 19 nautical miles; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the Montauk Point lighthouse, and for
all of the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to a
place and time which merits recognition in the grand panorama of the
history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the designation of the Montauk Point lighthouse as a
National Historic Landmark, and to commend the efforts of the Montauk
Historical Society in attaining this auspicious designation; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Montauk Historical Society.