Senate Resolution No. 1745

BY: Senator FERNANDEZ

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 22, 2026, as Maritime Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Maritime Day

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 22, 2026, as Maritime Day in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Maritime Day; and

WHEREAS, On May 20, 1933, the United States Congress designated May
22nd of each year as National Maritime Day; and

WHEREAS, Waterways have greatly contributed to expanding America's
economy, developing cities near waterways and facilitating vast domestic
and international commerce crucial to our economy today; and

WHEREAS, Merchant Mariners have served America with distinction
throughout our history, especially at critical moments of war and
natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, The United States Merchant Marines and other workers in our
Nation's maritime industry continue to make immeasurable contributions
to our economic strength and ongoing efforts to build a more peaceful
world; and

WHEREAS, The United States Merchant Marines also shepherd the safe
passage of goods, move exports to customers around the world, support
the flow of domestic commerce on our maritime highways, strengthen our
Nation's and State's economies, bolster job creation, and, along with
the transportation industry, employ New Yorkers on ships and tugboats
and in ports; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is proud to educate and train the
next generation of Merchant Mariners for the global maritime industry at
SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, New York, the oldest institution of
its kind in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Following authorization by the New York State Legislature,
the New York City Board of Education established a nautical school to
train students in the science of navigation and the practical duties of
mariners; Governor John A. Dix secured the St. Mary's from the United
States Navy to serve as the school's first training vessel; and

WHEREAS, The Sloop-of-War St. Mary's, originally launched on
November 24, 1844, and was commissioned into the United States Navy; it
completed a distinguished career in naval service before beginning a new
chapter in maritime education as the New York Nautical School's first
training ship and first in the nation school dedicated to training
American mariners; and

WHEREAS, On December 10, 1874, St. Mary's entered New York Harbor
under the leadership of Captain Stephen B. Luce, United States Navy,

marking the founding of the New York Nautical School-now known as the
State University of New York Maritime College; and

WHEREAS, From the arrival of the first twenty-six cadets on January
11, 1875, to the present day aboard the Training Ship Empire State VII,
generations of Cadets have continued the proud 151-year tradition of
education at sea, preparing to serve the United States as highly skilled
Merchant Mariners and leaders in the global maritime industry; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York wishes to honor the Merchant Mariners
who have served and continue to serve with distinction, the entire
maritime industry, new and old, and all those who support them; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 22, 2026, as Maritime
Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Maritime Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.