LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recog-
nize March 29, 2011, as the 100th Anniversary of the New York State
Capitol fire

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize signif-
icant events which represent turning points in our unique history and
which are indelibly etched in the saga of our great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to call atten-
tion to those historic events in New York State history which serve as
lasting reminders of our unique past; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, as
the 100th Anniversary of the New York State Capitol fire; and
WHEREAS, On March 29, 1911, at 2:15 a.m., a fire broke out in the
third floor Assembly library in the northwest corner of the New York
State Capitol building; and
WHEREAS, Although approximately 125 Albany firefighters under the
leadership of Fire Chief William Bridgeford responded to the scene,
flames burst through the third floor windows on the western side of the
Capitol and shot up through the Great Western staircase to the fourth
floor; within a few hours parts of the facade of the Capitol had totally
collapsed; and
WHEREAS, The fire destroyed much of the New York State Library which
was housed at the Capitol, as well as damaging irreplaceable collections
of the State Museum which was also located in the Capitol at the time;
and
WHEREAS, It was reported at the time that the damages caused by the
fire included: 600,000 volumes at the library, including valuable genea-
logical works and relics dating back to 1776; the Senate and Assembly
libraries; the finance committee room; the chamber of the President Pro
Tem of the Senate; the Lieutenant Governor's office; and much of the
Senate and Assembly chambers; and
WHEREAS, In addition, on the fourth floor of the Capitol, the fire
severely damaged the offices of the Court of Claims, Bill Drafting
Commission, Bureau of Weights and Measures and many books of scientific
and historical interest housed in the State Education Department; prac-
tically all offices below the third floor were seriously impacted by
smoke and water damage, including the Executive Chamber; and
WHEREAS, Miraculously, there was only one fatality caused by the fire,
the 78 year-old night watchman, Samuel J. Abbott; and
WHEREAS, The fire at the Capitol occurred just four days after the
tragically infamous Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York City
which claimed 146 lives; the coincidence of these two devastatingly
destructive fires spurred New York to undertake massive reforms in fire
prevention and labor health and safety laws; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when events of
such historic significance are brought to our attention, they should be
recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize March 29, 2011, as the
100th Anniversary of the New York State Capitol fire; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.