LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim July 1, 2013, as the "Spirit of 1776" Wagon Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, New York State is the cradle for the women's rights movement in
the United States and it is critically important to celebrate women's
history as well as support programs that build economic development
through cultural and heritage tourism, including the development of a
New York State Women's Heritage Trail; and
WHEREAS, A Governor's Capitol women's exhibit in 2012 pointed out how
New York's women led the way from Seneca Falls to the Supreme Court, and
the exhibit showcased a horse-drawn campaign wagon called the "Spirit of
1776" that was used in parades and special events on Long Island and New
York City; and
WHEREAS, This "Spirit of 1776" suffrage campaign wagon is held in the
collection of the New York State Museum, and it is a prime historical
artifact symbolizing the significance of New York women's participation
in the suffrage movement over a 72-year period starting in 1848 in Sene-
ca Falls, New York, and ending with the ratification of the 19th Amend-
ment to the United States Constitution in 1920; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such interest in our history, and in fitting
accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is just-
ly proud to memorialize the "Spirit of 1776" wagon as it celebrates the
centennial of its first journey for freedom on July 1, 1913, when the
wagon left the state headquarters of the New York State Woman Suffrage
Association in Manhattan and headed to Long Island for a month of grass-
roots organizing for the vote, in addition to later appearances in New
York City suffrage parades; and
WHEREAS, Celebration of this "Spirit of 1776" wagon Centennial is in
alignment with the Legislative Women's Caucus of New York State's
mission to educate citizens of New York State by celebrating our rich
cultural heritage and advancing the centennial of New York State's women
winning the vote in 1917, followed by the national suffrage centennial
in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Celebration of the "Spirit of 1776" wagon celebration is in
alignment with the State of New York's "Path Through History" program
that includes women's rights as one of the 13 identified themes building
on New York's already robust heritage tourism attractions; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Votes For Women 2020 is to celebrate, educate,
inspire, and promote the history of women's right to vote with a focus
on the past and an eye to the future with the goals of preserving and
promoting New York State history sites, including but not limited to the
Susan B. Anthony House, Matilda Joslyn Gage Home, Harriet Tubman Home,
and others; creating a New York State Women's Heritage Trail with the
"Spirit of 1776" wagon inaugurating that trail; and hosting national
celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of the women's right to vote in
2020, beginning in 2017 with the Centennial of women gaining the right
to vote in New York State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 1, 2013, as the
"Spirit of 1776" Wagon Day in the State of New York; 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.