LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious institutions within the State of New York which have made a
substantial impact on the quality of life in their communities and whose
focus is on behalf of young people and their futures; 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 100th Anniversary of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training
Corps (JROTC); and
WHEREAS, The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a Feder-
al program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools
across the United States and United States military bases across the
world; and
WHEREAS, The United States Army JROTC came into being with the passage
of the National Defense Act of 1916; under the provisions of the Act,
high schools were authorized the loan of federal military equipment and
the assignment of active duty military personnel as instructors to train
interested high school students in military activities; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, the Vitalization Act opened JROTC up to the other
services and replaced most of the active duty instructors with retired
members of the armed forces, who worked for and are cost shared by the
schools; and
WHEREAS, The JROTC Program has changed greatly over the years; today,
it is a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and educa-
tional well-being of American youth; and
WHEREAS, The study of ethics, citizenship, communications, leadership,
and life skills prepares boys and girls to take their place in adult
society; most recently, a student-centered curriculum focusing on char-
acter building and civic responsibility is being presented in JROTC
classrooms, nationwide; and
WHEREAS, The JROTC program has been an integral part of La Salle
Institute since 1891, when the Cadet Battalion was first formed with 128
students; rifles and uniforms were provided by the school, and military
instruction ensued on both Monday and Friday afternoons; and
WHEREAS, On January 1st, 1970, La Salle Institute officially became
part of the Army JROTC Program; familiar with military drill, accustomed
to uniforms, and responsive to the chain-of-command, La Salle Institute
Cadets have proudly answered the call of their country by serving in all
major wars, some of which have served as top ranking officers; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 300 La Salle Institute graduates enlisted in World War
I; a generation later, more than 1,200 former Cadets served in World War
II; and
WHEREAS, In addition, La Salle Cadets fought in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq,
and Afghanistan; over 100 of these soldiers made the supreme sacrifice
in service to our country; and
WHEREAS, Today the JROTC Leadership Program continues to be an inte-
gral and active part of the overall La Salle experience; cadets earn a
sense of accomplishment while instilling self-esteem, teamwork, and
self-confidence; and
WHEREAS, Cadets also embrace leading and excel in summer Cadet Leader-
ship Courses, as well as performing on the O'Donovan and McCormick Drill
Teams, color guard and rifle club; and
WHEREAS, The JROTC Leadership Program upholds the La Salle mission by
motivating young men to become moral, responsible, confident, and

productive citizens; with a commitment to the motto of "Truth, Honor,
and Duty"; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 100th Anniversary of the Junior Reserve Officers' Train-
ing Corps (JROTC); and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the United States Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(JROTC) and to the La Salle Institute.