LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil
War and paying tribute to the late Stephen Crane, renowned author and
former resident of Port Jervis, New York, on June 20, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts
of those organizations which seek to bring recognition to historical
places within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to ensure
that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved and
shared with present generations of citizens; 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 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and pay tribute to the late
Stephen Crane, renowned author and former resident of Port Jervis, New
York, to be celebrated on Saturday, June 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Organized by the Port Jervis Tourism Board and the Minisink
Historical Society, Stephen Crane's THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, A Living
Memorial, will be presented on June 20, 2015, in Orange Square Park,
Port Jervis, New York; and
WHEREAS, A young Stephen Crane, the son of a Methodist Minister, would
later go on to write a book called THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE which
depicted the life of what a Civil War battle might be like; it is said
that the young author may have absorbed the tales told by men who fought
in the 124th Regiment, also known as the Orange Blossoms, and years
later came back to interview them; and
WHEREAS, Published in 1895, THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, is considered
one of the best books dealing with the Civil War to this day; the
author's fictitious 304th New York Regiment, according to historian
Charles LaRocca, mirrors that of the 124th Regiment; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Crane's THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, A Living Memorial
will be held on June 20, 2015, in several locations such as Veterans
Park (Orange Square), the Presbyterian Church Marsh Hall, and Drew Meth-
odist Church; and
WHEREAS, This occasion, the first of its kind, will bring back life to
Port Jervis, New York, as if it were the late 1800s, when Civil War
veterans gathered to converse about the war in Orange Square Park; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the day, various events, including the showing of
the movie THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, Civil War re-enactors, Broome Street
Fife and Drum Corps, and continual Bus Tours to the Civil War burial
sites at Laurel Grove Cemetery narrated by Peter Osborne, as well as
historical displays by the Minisink Historical Society, Town of Deerpark
Museum, Matamoras-Westfall Historical Society, Montague Association for
the Restoration of Community History, Pike County Historical Society,
and Gray Parker Funeral Home, will be offered to educate and entertain
history buffs and residents of not only Port Jervis, but residents of
Orange County and the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, a display of authentic Civil War period clothing
will be on display from the collection of Juanita Leisch Jensen, and
lectures on several topics will be presented to the public; and
WHEREAS, Sutlers will be available to sell their wares, and there will
be demonstrations featuring blacksmiths, horses, and cannons; further-
more, there will also be a "SELFIE" corner so you can dress in Civil War
period hats and costumes and take your own photos; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Stephen Crane's THE RED BADGE OF
COURAGE, A Living Memorial, and for all of the individuals who have
worked to bring proper attention to a place and time which merits recog-

nition 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 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and pay tribute to
the late Stephen Crane, renowned author and former resident of Port
Jervis, New York, on June 20, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Port Jervis Tourism Board and the Minisink Historical
Society.