LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Chautauqua
County, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people and communi-
ties which comprise the noble body of 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 200th Anniversary of Chautauqua County, New York, to be cele-
brated throughout calendar year 2011 in the many cities, towns, and
villages that combine to form the county's identity; and
WHEREAS, This Bicentennial celebration is important to the residents
of Chautauqua County because it provides historical, cultural and artis-
tic opportunities and activities, as well as instills a sense of pride
in the communities and County as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Chautauqua County was first settled in the late 18th Century,
and the county limits were defined in an act of 1808; the county was
required to function as a part of Niagara County until it attained a
population of 500 taxable, land-owning residents; Chautauqua County was
officially recognized as an independent county by the New York State
Legislature on February 9, 1811; and
WHEREAS, The western gateway to the State of New York, Chautauqua
County covers 1,065 square miles containing two cities, 27 towns and 13
villages; the county has a 50-mile shoreline on Lake Erie and holds six
lakes; Chautauqua County was named for its largest lake, which is 20
miles long and 1,308 feet above sea level; and
WHEREAS, Rich in natural resources, Chautauqua County holds over 1,500
commercial farms, more than 15,000 acres of grapes and 15 wineries; the
French Creek Watershed in Chautauqua County is the most biologically
diverse riverine system in the northeast United States and is home to
twelve globally rare species; and
WHEREAS, Many famous people have called Chautauqua County home,
including New York State Governors William H. Seward and Reuben Fenton;
naturalist Roger Tory Peterson; Supreme Court Justice and Chief United
States prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials Robert H. Jackson; entrepre-
neurs B.F. Goodrich and George Pullman; musician Natalie Merchant;
beloved actress Lucille Ball; and numerous other writers, athletes,
artists, military heroes and politicians; and
WHEREAS, Chautauqua County has long been known as a place of academic
opportunity with Jamestown Business College, the State University of New
York at Fredonia and Jamestown Community College, the first community
college in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Educational and cultural offerings abound in Chautauqua Coun-
ty through the Chautauqua Institution, which hosts 142,000 participants
in its programs each summer; the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, a
national center for nature education; and Lily Dale Assembly, the world
center of the Universal Religion of Modern Spiritualism; and
WHEREAS, Chautauqua County is credited with a number of firsts - the
first Grange in the world and the first Women's Christian Temperance
Union were both formed in Fredonia; the oldest lighthouse on the Great
Lakes and the first to be lighted by natural gas still stands at Barce-
lona Harbor; and the first naval skirmish of the War of 1812 was fought
at the mouth of the Canadaway Creek; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, Chautauqua County continues its commitment to enhancing the
quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institu-

tional and educational climate, and providing all essential services;
and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to not only celebrate the County's origins
and history this year, but also to set the right tone and objectives for
the next 200 years of Chautauqua County's history; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of communities large and small
in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Chautauqua County; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chautauqua County, New York.