LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Remington
Arms Company, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those busi-
nesses and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commend those businesses which work to better their local community
and work hard to keep a local tradition alive; 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 200th Anniversary of Remington Arms Company, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Remington celebrates its 200th Anniversary in the gun busi-
ness as "America's Oldest Gunmaker;" the company is the oldest manufac-
turer in America still making its original product; and
WHEREAS, For 200 years, Remington Arms has been the business backbone
of Ilion, New York, in Herkimer County; today, the company is one of the
county's largest employers, employing nearly 1,400 people and greatly
enhancing its economic impact; and
WHEREAS, In 1816, Eliphalet Remington II handcrafted his first rifle
barrel at his father's forge, and carried it to Utica, New York, to have
a local gunsmith craft it into a flintlock rifle; he soon established a
rifle-making business and forged thousands of rifles which he sold to
gunsmiths throughout America; and
WHEREAS, After Eliphalet Remington II moved the barrel making opera-
tion from the forge site to 200 acres alongside the new Erie Canal, the
present location of the Remington factory in Ilion, New York, he negoti-
ated his first firearms contracts for the United States Army Ordnance
Department to manufacture the first complete guns made by the company;
and
WHEREAS, On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began, and Remington's
Armory supplied pistols, carbines, rifles and muskets for the federal
Army and Navy; the war officially ended in April of 1865, and
Remington's vast armory began making a great variety of firearms for
civilian hunters, for settlers moving west, and for the emerging target
shooting sportsman; and
WHEREAS, During the next 50 years, Remington's expansion included
producing metallic, centerfire ammunition, introducing its first high
power, auto-loading rifle, producing the first American autoloading
shotgun, introducing the company's first pump-action shotgun as well as
manufacturing the world's first effective typewriter in Ilion, New York;
and
WHEREAS, In 1914, Remington constructed four new massive plants, one
in Ilion, New York, to manufacture firearms and ammunition; three years
later, when the United States declared war on Germany, Remington
produced military rifles, pistols, signal guns and machine guns, as well
as ammunition for the Allies; and
WHEREAS, Following the war and for nearly 20 years, Remington thrived,
introducing the company's first autoloading pistol and the concept of
"Game Load" shotshells which revolutionized the shotshell industry; in
addition, the company entered the cutlery business after forming the
Remington Cutlery Works, Inc., in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, In 1940, with war already being waged in Europe and the Far
East, the United States Army War Department ordered Remington to expand
its ammunition production in Bridgeport, Connecticut, including the

formation of several Government Owned Company Operated (GOCO) ammunition
plants; during World War II, Remington facilities produced more than
half the small arms ammunition used by the Allies and manufactured
hundreds of thousands of military rifles and millions of weapons parts
for other gun makers; and
WHEREAS, From the 1950s through 2014, Remington introduced several new
and innovative shotguns and rifles, re-introduced its popular "Bullet
Knife" series of pocket knives, revolutionized the autoloading shotgun
market with the introduction of the VersaMax, re-entered the handgun
market after 85 years, as well as constructing a modern ammunition plant
in Lonoke, Arkansas, and opening a new state of the art manufacturing
facility in Huntsville, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, For more than 200 years, Remington's firearms have been
forged from the untamed spirit that will always define our nation; the
proud tradition that began with Eliphalet Remington II's first hand-
built rifle in 1816, continues to this day and Remington innovation has
always been ahead of its time, as evidenced by its rich history and long
line of legendary firearms; and
WHEREAS, Even through hard times, Remington Arms Company, Inc.,
continues its dedication to the community of Ilion, New York, and
Herkimer County, as well as the other markets throughout the State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Remington Arms Company, Inc.; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Remington Arms Company, Inc.