Assembly Resolution No. 422

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
historic, economic, and cultural value of this organization which
substantially contributes to the vitality and well-being of its
communities and the entire 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 50th Anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural
National Historic Site; this milestone year-long anniversary celebration
will begin on September 14, 2021, 50 years from the day when the
historic house museum first opened its doors to the public; and

WHEREAS, Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States,
was one of the country's most consequential leaders and the youngest
person to ever hold the office; and

WHEREAS, Theodore Roosevelt devoted his life of public service to
his native New York State, serving three terms in the New York State
Assembly (1881-1883), Police Commissioner of New York City (1895-1897),
and Governor (1898-1900); and

WHEREAS, In addition to his renowned Presidency, Theodore Roosevelt
served his country as Civil Service Commissioner (1889-1895), Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (1897-1898), leader of the First U.S. Volunteer
Cavalry (Rough Riders-1898), and Vice-President (1901); and

WHEREAS, This astonishingly complex, multi-faceted individual was
not only a committed, tireless public servant who transformed the nation
into a world power and the presidency into a force with which to be
reckoned, but also a devoted family man, a conservationist, a civil
rights activist, an advocate for social justice, a naturalist, and an
historian; and

WHEREAS, The principal purpose of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural
National Historic Site is to preserve and protect the location of
Theodore Roosevelt's 1901 presidential inauguration for this and future
generations, and to interpret the significance and relevance of
Roosevelt's presidency and his enduring legacy for more than 30,000
people annually through on-site visitation and virtual outreach; and

WHEREAS, The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site,
located at 641 Delaware Avenue in the City of Buffalo and the County of
Erie, is both a local and national landmark, listed on the National
Register of Historic Places; it is one of only four places in America
where the presidential oath of office has been administered outside the
nation's capital, and Western New York's only unit of the U.S.
Department of the Interior's 423-unit National Park Service; and

WHEREAS, The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
stands as a reminder to all of a hallmark of our American democratic

process: the peaceful transfer of political power during a time of
national crisis; and

WHEREAS, Following a period of uncertainty in the early 1960s
regarding the former Wilcox Mansion's future and a subsequent
community-wide drive to save and restore the building, the Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is widely viewed as one of
the earliest local examples in the modern historic preservation
movement; and

WHEREAS, The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, a
corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of
the State of New York and chartered by the State's Education Department,
has successfully managed the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National
Historic Site since its designation as a National Historic Site by
Congress in 1966, and is responsible for all aspects of site management
today, including finance, personnel, maintenance, interpretation and
planning; and

WHEREAS, The successful operation of the Theodore Roosevelt
Inaugural National Historic Site is possible because of the strong
relationship and strategic public/private partnership forged between the
Foundation and the NPS, bringing together NPS expertise, guidance and
support as well as the local knowledge, dedication and resources from
the Foundation to provide the public with a professionally managed,
unique, and engaging National Historic Site; and

WHEREAS, Since the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural
National Historic Site's Visitor Center in 2009, it has re-imagined the
visitor experience, incorporating multi-media and interactive exhibits,
bringing the site's tour to life, more than doubling its number of
visitors, and is now a heritage tourism destination which helps to fuel
the region's economic development; and

WHEREAS, Those visitors, from across the region and country and
throughout the world, are now immersed in the Pan-American Exposition,
the assassination of President William McKinley, and the circumstances
surrounding Roosevelt's inauguration, as well as an exploration of the
complex issues with which the new president grappled and which are no
less relevant to citizens of today than they were 120 years ago,
including: immigration and urban poverty, race and social inequities,
environmental conservation, free enterprise and organized labor, and the
U.S. role in global affairs; and

WHEREAS, The steady growth the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National
Historic Site has experienced since its transformation is a tribute to
the vigilant stewardship of the Foundation's board of trustees; the
unwavering commitment of the site's corps of volunteers; and the
extraordinary generosity of the public and private sectors in Buffalo,
Erie County, and Western New York; Albany; and Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural
National Historic Site; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.