Senate Resolution No. 2779

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the City of
Rome, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities 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
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the City of Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, Known as "The City of American History," Rome, New York, is
located in the Rust Belt of the United States, and is marked by a number
of ups and downs similar to that of many Central New York cities;
countless people have come, gone, and returned to find that while Rome's
appearance may have changed with time, its spirit and rich history
remains; and

WHEREAS, The first inhabitants of the Oneida Carrying Place,
presently Rome, were the Haudenosaunee Indians, who used this route
through the woods for travel and trade; eventually, New York became a
British colony and the Oneida Carrying Place was imperative to military
efforts as it was used to transport supplies during the French and
Indian War; and

WHEREAS, On March 17, 1786, one of Rome's great pioneers, Dominick
Lynch, placed the winning bid for the Expense Lot, a 69-acre tract of
land taken from the Oriskany Patent; shortly after, he began purchasing
land to the north and east of the Expense Lot with plans of developing
the Village of Lynchville in what became known as the Town of Rome; and

WHEREAS, A portion of the property owned by Lynch was utilized by
the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company (WILNC), which was partially
responsible for not only one of the most significant developments in
Rome, but the nation's history; their efforts to improve water travel by
building the Rome Canal along the Oneida Carrying Place laid the
foundation for the construction of the Erie Canal; and

WHEREAS, On Independence Day of 1817, the first shovelful of dirt
turned for the Erie Canal groundbreaking ceremony was taken in Rome, one
year prior to its incorporation as a Village; Rome's commercial growth
as a result of the Erie Canal played a major role in the eventual
granting of its city charter; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated on July 19, 1853, Rome Cemetery is the resting
place of some of the most prominent and accomplished citizens in Rome's
history, including Francis Bellamy who is well known for writing the
original version of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1891; and

WHEREAS, After the establishment of the Rome, Watertown and
Ogdensburgh Railroad, as well as multiple iron mills and other large
companies, a town meeting was called by the Village President and a

public debate was held to discuss Rome's potential incorporation as a
city; and

WHEREAS, At the meeting, Roman Henry O. Southworth proclaimed,
"...in the opinion of this meeting, the time has arrived when the
Village of Rome should be constituted the City of Rome"; on February 23,
1870, the New York State government officially approved the bill calling
for the incorporation of the City of Rome; and

WHEREAS, Today, the City of Rome remains a fascinating and unique
place for many reasons; while it has changed drastically over the past
150 years, it bears several reminders of its most significant historic
highlights; and

WHEREAS, When travelling north on Ridge Road passersby will notice a
historic marker near the Rome Fish Hatchery marking the site of the
first cheese factory system in the United States created by Jesse
Williams in 1851; furthermore, although Fort Stanwix was abandoned
hundreds of years ago, the Fort Stanwix National Monument is a
reconstruction of the Revolutionary War-era Fort Stanwix which sits on
the exact location where it was constructed during the Revolutionary
War; and

WHEREAS, In addition, despite the fact the Erie Canal no longer runs
through the city, Erie Boulevard remains perhaps the most commercially
active road in all of Rome; landmarks such as the home of John B.
Jervis, the Capitol Theatre, Rome City Hall and the Rome Arsenal still
stand; and

WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and
flow of decades of growth and change, the City of Rome continues to
provide the quintessential quality of life for its residents; and

WHEREAS, The residents of the City of Rome have a bright outlook for
the future of their community, which remains a beautiful place in which
to live, work and raise a family; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the City of Rome's rich history and
enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited city upon the occasion of its
150th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the City of Rome, New York; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the City of Rome, New York.